Mehmood Pracha vs Central Administrative Tribunal

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 892 OF 2020

MEHMOOD PRACHA Appellant(s)

VERSUS

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL Respondent(s)

J U D G M E N T

K. M. JOSEPH, J.

(1) The appellant stands convicted by the impugned order

passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal

Bench, under Section 14 of the Contempt of the Courts Act,

1971 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Act’ for brevity) in terms

of the charge framed against the appellant.

After finding the appellant so guilty, we may notice

the following:

“37. There would have been every justification for us, to impose the sentence, proportionate to the acts of contempt held proved against the respondent. However, by treating this as a first instance, we let him off with a severe warning to the effect that if he repeats such acts in future in the Tribunal, the finding that he is guilty of contempt of Court, in this case, shall be treated as one of the factors in the proceedings, if any, that may ensue.

Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by 38. The copy of this order shall be forwarded to the Nidhi Ahuja Date: 2022.08.18 17:07:43 IST Bar Council of India and Delhi State Bar Council.” Reason: 1 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 892 OF 2020

(2) We have heard Shri Mehmood Pracha, appellant-in-

person. We have also had the advantage of hearing Shri

Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor General who

incidentally, it must be noticed, in keeping with the

mandate of Central Administrative Tribunal Rules was called

upon to assist the Tribunal in the matter of proceedings

against the appellant.

(3) There were certain original applications before the

Tribunal. On the fateful day, which is 08.02.2019, it is

found by the Tribunal in the impugned order that the

appellant made certain submissions in his capacity as

counsel for the party. We may notice the relevant portions

as follows:

“9. Repeated requests to him, to advance arguments did not appeal to him. He has also humiliated the learned counsel for the Respondents by saying that they have been shown their place by the Supreme Court by imposing cost of Rs.25,000/- and that they have no right whatever to plead before the Tribunal. He created an unfortunate situation in the Court and was browbeating the Chairman as well as the respondents through his gestures and dramatics. All these were tolerated, with a view to give quietus to a long pending matters. Seeing that his provocation is not yielding the expected results, the respondent herein went on making personal attack on the Chairman.

10. By looking around the Court, he said that the proceedings must be held in Camera and he has much to say about the Chairman. He was informed that he can say in the open Court whatever he intends and if that is not done, it would amount to scandalising the Chairman. His behaviour continued in the same manner and he did not reveal anything. The Court was full with Advocates of different standings and repeated requests made by them to pacify the respondent did not

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have any effect on him. He proceeded to observe that Chairman lost his right to hear the PTs. He was informed that Section 25 of the Act provides for hearing of PTs only by the Chairman and that if he has got any other alternative or suggestion, he can make it. Even that did not work and he continued his tirade. Left with no alternative, a detailed order was passed on that date and a notice was issued. The respondent was required to explain within two weeks as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him.”

(4) The charge was framed on 10.02.2020. Though the

charge was initially not produced along with the appeal

memorandum, the charge is subsequently produced along with

an application to produce the entire trial Court / lower

Court record. There was a draft charge and finally the

charge which has become the subject matter of the impugned

order which reads as follows:

“Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi hereby charges you Mr. Mehmood Pracha as under:-

That you on 08.02.2019 represented the applicant in PT No. 288/2017 in OA No. 2413/2016. In the course of the proceedings you insisted on the proceedings to be conducted in camera since you had to say something against the Chairman which could not be revealed in open Court. However, when you were asked to reveal whatever you wanted to say, you did not come forward. The acts and omissions on your part would not only have the effect of tarnishing the image of the Tribunal but also amount to criminal contempt for threatening the Presiding Officer.

You are hereby directed to be tried by the Tribunal for the aforesaid charge.”

(5) There is no dispute that the charge was denied by the

appellant. This can be seen from the order produced before

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us which is order dated 10.02.2020. The case stood listed

on 25.02.2020. As to what transpired thereafter is best

explained with reference to the terms of the order dated

18.03.2020. It reads as follows:

“We heard Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor of General, who addressed his arguments by referring to the relevant provisions of the Contempt of Courts (C.A.T.) Rules, 1992 and has also drawn our attention to the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Leila David v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (2009) 10 SCC 337.

The respondent, who argued the case in person, also addressed his arguments, at length. He insisted that a trial must be conducted as contemplated under Rule 15 of the Rules. However, since the contempt has taken place in the face of the Court, the question of trial may not arise. On this issue also, the respondent addressed his arguments.

We reserve the judgment.”

(6) From the impugned judgment, it is seen that the order

was reserved on 18.03.2020. The order was rendered on

23.09.2020. The appellant would urge before us that the

Tribunal has erred in denying the appellant the right to be

tried for the charge leveled against him. There are other

contentions also. The appellant draws our attention to the

Contempt of Courts (C.A.T.) Rules, 1992 (hereinafter

referred to as ‘Rules’ for brevity).

Rule 13 and Rule 15 read as follows:

13. Hearing of the case and trial.—Upon consideration of the reply filed by the respondent and after hearing the parties:—

(a) If the respondent has tendered an unconditional

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apology after admitting that he has committed the contempt, the Tribunal may proceed to pass such orders as it deems fit;

(b) if the respondent does not admit that he has committed contempt, the Tribunal may,—

(i) if it is satisfied that there is a prima facie case, proceed to frame the charges in Form No. III (subject to modification or addition by the Tribunal at any time); or

(ii) drop the proceedings and discharge the respondent, if it is satisfied that there is no prima facie case, or that it is not expedient to proceed;

(c) The respondent shall be furnished with a copy of the charge framed, which shall be read over and explained to the respondent. The Tribunal shall then record his plea, if any;

(d) If the respondent pleads guilty, the Tribunal may adjudge him guilty and proceed to pass such sentence as it deems fit;

(e) If the respondent pleads not guilty, the case may be taken up for trial on the same day or posted to any subsequent date as may be directed by the Tribunal.

15. Procedure for trial.—(i) Except as otherwise provided in the Act and these rules, the procedure prescribed for summary trials under Chapter XXI of the Code shall as far as practicable be followed in the trial of cases for contempt.

(ii) The Tribunal may, at its discretion, direct that evidence be produced in the form of affidavits.

(iii) The Tribunal may, either suo motu or on motion made for that purpose, order the attendance for cross- examination of a person whose affidavit has been filed in the matter.

(iv) The Tribunal may, at its discretion, direct any person to be examined as Tribunal witness.

(v) The Tribunal may make such order as it deems fit for the purpose of securing the attendance of any person to be examined as a witness and for discovery or production of any document.”

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(7) Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor

General, on the other hand, would support the order. He

would submit that the Court may bear in mind the plight of

the Tribunal that is accosted with the behaviour alleged

against the appellant. In other words, as found by the

Tribunal, in keeping with the charge the appellant is

alleged to have in the presence of a large number of lawyers

made the request to have proceeding held in the chamber as

he had something to say against the Chairman. In the

impugned order, he points out, the Tribunal has found that

again in keeping with the charge that when the appellant was

called upon to divulge what he had to reveal ‘only’ in

chamber in the open Court, the appellant refused to do so.

(8) Shri Vikramjeet Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor

General, would commend for our acceptance the findings and

the order ultimately passed by the Tribunal. He would also

justify the submission which he made before the Tribunal

based on the judgment of this Court reported in Leila David

v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (2009) 10 SCC 337. In other

words, he would submit that the Tribunal has not erred in

drawing support from the law laid down that when proceedings

are launched under Section 14 for contempt committed by a

person in the face of the Court, a trial may not be

indispensable. He would also point out that the final order

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as passed by the Tribunal in this case, would also obviate

any need for interference by this Court and the interest of

justice has been subserved and the Tribunal has balanced the

interest of justice by upholding the dignity of the

Tribunal, by on the one hand convicting the appellant for

his conduct, but at the same time not sentencing him but on

the other hand, only letting him off with a warning.

(9) He would also point out that when the incident took

place on 08.02.2019, the Tribunal did not immediately rush

into the proceedings. The matter traveled to the Delhi High

Court on the question as to whether the Tribunal or rather

the Chairman of the Tribunal could act in the matter under

the Act. The Delhi High Court formed the view that the

Tribunal was bestowed with adequate power. The matter

reached this Court at the instance of the appellant and this

Court affirmed the view of the Delhi High Court. It is

thereafter that the matter was taken up.

(10) Section 14 of the Act reads as follows:

“14.Procedure where contempt is in the face of the Supreme Court or a High Court.—(1) When it is alleged, or appears to the Supreme Court or the High Court upon its own view, that a person has been guilty of contempt committed in its presence or hearing,the Court may cause such person to be detained in custody, and, at any time before the rising of the Court, on the same day, or as early as possible thereafter, shall—

(a) cause him to be informed in writing of the contempt with which he is charged;

(b) afford him an opportunity to make his defence to

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the charge;

(c) after taking such evidence as may be necessary or as may be offered by such person and after hearing him, proceed, either forthwith or after adjournment, to determine the matter of the charge; and

(d) make such order for the punishment or discharge of such person as may be just.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where a person charged with contempt under that sub-section applies, whether orally or in writing, to have the charge against him tried by some judge other than the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is alleged to have been committed, and the Court is of opinion that it is practicable to do so and that in the interests of proper administration of justice the application should be allowed, it shall cause the matter to be placed, together with a statement of the facts of the case, before the Chief Justice for such directions as he may think fit to issue as respects the trial thereof.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, in any trial of a person charged with contempt under sub-section (1)which is held, in pursuance of a direction given under sub-section (2), by a Judge other than the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is alleged to have been committed, it shall not be necessary for the Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is alleged to have been committed to appear as a witness and the statement placed before the Chief Justice under sub-

section (2) shall be treated as evidence in the case.

(4) Pending the determination of the charge, the Court may direct that a person charged with contempt under this section shall be detained in such custody as it may specify:

Provided that he shall be released on bail, if a bond for such sum of money as the Court thinks sufficient is executed with or without sureties conditioned that the person charged shall attend at the time and place mentioned in the bond and shall continue to so attend until otherwise directed by the Court:

Provided further that the Court may, if it thinks fit,instead of taking bail from such person, discharge him on his executing a bond without sureties for his

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attendance as aforesaid.”

A perusal of Section 14 would appear to indicate the

procedure to be followed when contempt is in the face of the

Supreme Court or the High Court.

(11) Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985

provides the Tribunal with the same jurisdiction, powers and

authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court

has and may exercise for this purpose the provisions of the

Act with the modifications as provided therein.

Section 17 reads as follows:

“17. Power to punish for contempt. –A Tribunal shall have, and exercise, the same jurisdiction, powers and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court has and may exercise and, for this purpose, the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (70 of 1971) shall have effect subject to the modifications that –

(a)the reference therein to a High Court shall be construed as including a reference to such Tribunal;

(b)the references to the Advocate-General in section 15 of the said Act shall be construed, -

(i)in relation to the Central Administrative Tribunal, as a reference to the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General or the Additional Solicitor-General; and

(ii)in relation to an Administrative Tribunal for a State or a Joint Administrative Tribunal for two or more States, as a reference to the Advocate-General of the State or any of the States for which such Tribunal has been established.”

Therefore, we proceed on the basis that the power

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under Section 14 of the Act is also available to the

Tribunal. Section 17 appears to confer the powers,

jurisdiction and authority of a High Court on the Tribunal.

There is no reference to the powers of the Supreme Court in

Section 17.

(12) The question, however, which pointedly arises for our

consideration, in the facts of this case, is whether, after

framing a charge as noticed by us, it was necessary that

there should be a trial and whether the charge should be

supported with any evidence.

(13) As far as the light shed by Section 14 goes, Section

14(1)(c) appears to indicate that the proceedings include

taking of evidence as may be necessary or as may be offered

by such person and thereafter, to determine the matter of

the charge. Sub-Section (2) of Section 14 contemplates the

situation where in regard to the Supreme Court or the High

Court, the alleged contemnor seeks to have the matter be

heard by another Judge, in which case, the application is to

be allowed if the Court is of the opinion that it is

practical to do so and in the interest of proper

administration of justice. In such eventuality, section

14(3) contemplates that it shall not be necessary for the

Judge or Judges in whose presence or hearing the offence is

alleged to have committed to appear as a witness and it is

sufficient if the statement of the judge is placed before

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the Chief Justice which is then to be treated as evidence.

(14) Coming to the Rules, Rule 13 contemplates that if the

respondent (alleged contemnor) does not admit that he has

committed contempt and a prima facie case is made out, the

Tribunal is to proceed to frame a charge in Form No. III

subject to modification or addition by the Tribunal at any

time. The charge is to be read over and explained and the

Tribunal is thereafter to record his plea, if any. Rule

13(e) provides that if the respondent pleads not guilty, the

case may be taken up for trial on the same day or it is to

be posted to any subsequent date as directed by the

Tribunal.

(15) Rule 15 deals with the procedure for trial. It

contemplates that except where it is otherwise provided in

the Act or the Rules, the procedure for summary trial under

Chapter XXI of the Code of Criminal procedure shall as far

as practical be followed in the trial of case for contempt.

It is open to the Tribunal at its discretion to direct that

the evidence be produced in the form of affidavits. The

Tribunal may also on motion or suo motu order attendance for

cross examination of a person whose affidavit has been

filed. Rule 15(iv) contemplates that the Tribunal may at

its discretion direct any person to be examined as Tribunal

witness.

(16) The Tribunal, by the impugned order, has only noticed

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in keeping with the charge that the appellant did make the

statement in the Court that he had something to say about

the Chairman which he wished to communicate to him in the

chamber. This is disputed by the appellant. The charge

indeed is on the lines as found by the Tribunal. But the

charge was denied by the appellant.

(17) Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor

General, very fairly drew our attention to the counter

affidavit of the appellant to the charge wherein it is

indicated as follows:

“Apart from the above observations which were recorded in the Order, several oral observations were made by this Hon’ble Bench of this Hon’ble Tribunal speaking through its Hon’ble Chairman during the hearing on the said date, which were apparently unsavoury. More particularly, it was alleged by this Hon’ble Bench in open Court that the Respondent “manages Judges and Benches of the Supreme Court”. To such a deeply hurtful, humiliating and completely baseless remark, the Respondent, in solemn discharge of his duty as an officer of the court and being responsible as such for maintaining its dignity, humbly responded by praying that the Hon’ble Tribunal may conduct further proceedings in chamber with a view to protect the dignity of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Hon’ble High Courts as well as its own dignity. It is humbly submitted that the majesty of law can only be upheld if there is inter-se amity between all the institutions tasked with upholding it. Whenever institutional dignity is at the risk of being unwittingly compromised, it is the duty of every conscientious and law abiding citizen, and most importantly, of the learned members of the Bar, to prevent such a slip from occurring. The request for chamber hearing was made by the Respondent in discharge of the said duty. It is respectfully submitted that at no stage any disrespectful word/gestures or any personal attacks/allegations/threat/innuendo, were made by the Respondent against anyone whosoever let alone this

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Hon’ble Tribunal or its Hon’ble Chairman.”

(18) Therefore, this is not a case where we can proceed on

the basis that the appellant has admitted his guilt to the

charge that appellant made a statement in the open Court

that he had certain things to say about the Chairman which,

however, he would reveal only in the chamber. This is the

crux of the matter. His version is as noticed by us in the

counter affidavit, which he filed to the charge. It is

another matter that we may agree with the view of the

Tribunal if the appellant had indeed made the allegations

against the Chairman in the form of an insinuation that he

had something to say about the Chairman which he would

reveal only in chamber and what is more, he maintained

silence which is eloquent when he was called upon to say

whatever he had to say in the open Court. If that were the

position, we would have little difficulty in upholding the

conviction.

(19) Here, however, the problem is different. The issue

arises from the denial of the very charge about what

happened on 08.02.2019. In the circumstances of this case

when the charge was framed on 10.02.2020 and the appellant

pleaded not guilty and the proceedings on the date

18.03.2020 would show that on the one hand, learned

Additional Solicitor General relied upon judgment of this

Court and submitted that the Tribunal would be free to

13 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 892 OF 2020

proceed in the matter without holding a trial but the

appellant on the other hand, insisted on his right to be

tried and the matter was reserved for judgment resulting in

no trial at all taking place admittedly, there would be a

problem in law in the facts of this case.

(20) Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor

General, however, would seek support from the judgment of

this Court in Leila David (supra). He took us through the

said judgment.

(21) The appellant, on the other hand, would submit that

the said judgment cannot apply. The said judgment reveals

certain features which stand out. The Court notices that

certain allegations were made in the writ petition as well

as in the supporting affidavits. The petitioners therein

were asked to withdraw the allegations which they refused to

do. Thereupon, this Court felt compelled to issue notice as

to why contempt proceedings should not be taken.

Thereafter, when the matter came up before the Bench

presided by the learned Judge, the Court took the view that

even the show cause reply was equally contumacious.

Proceedings were initiated. The order which was recorded by

the learned Judge of this Court indicates that one of the

petitioners had gone to the extent of saying that the Judges

should be jailed for having initiated proceedings against

them. One of the petitioners before this Court it is

14 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 892 OF 2020

recorded went to the extent of throwing a footwear at the

Judges. It is further recorded that all this happened in

the presence of the learned Solicitor General of India

(later Attorney General of India) and others. A division of

opinion led to the matter being placed before a Bench of

three learned Judges. These are the facts of the case which

is relied by the learned Additional Solicitor General of

India and which forms the basis of the impugned order as

well apparently. The question which fell for decision was

the need to hold trial or allowing the party to adduce

evidence.

(22) We may notice in this regard the following

observations:

“28. As far as the suo motu proceedings for contempt are concerned, we are of the view that Arijit Pasayat, J. was well within his jurisdiction in passing a summary order, having regard to the provisions of Articles 129 and 142 of the Constitution of India. Although, Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, lays down the procedure to be followed in cases of criminal contempt in the face of the court, it does not preclude the court from taking recourse to summary proceedings when a deliberate and wilful contumacious incident takes place in front of their eyes and the public at large, including Senior Law Officers, such as the Attorney General for India who was then the Solicitor General of India.

29. While, as pointed out by Ganguly, J., it is a statutory requirement and a salutary principle that a person should not be condemned unheard, particularly in a case relating to contempt of court involving a summary procedure, and should be given an opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken against him/her, there are exceptional circumstances in which such a procedure may be discarded as being redundant.

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31. Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 deals with contempt in the face of the Supreme Court or the High Court. The expression “contempt in the face of the Supreme Court” has been interpreted to mean an incident taking place within the sight of the learned Judges and others present at the time of the incident, who had witnessed such incident.

35. Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act no doubt contemplates issuance of notice and an opportunity to the contemnors to answer the charges in the notice to satisfy the principles of natural justice. However, where an incident of the instant nature takes place within the presence and sight of the learned Judges, the same amounts to contempt in the face of the Court and is required to be dealt with at the time of the incident itself. This is necessary for the dignity and majesty of the courts to be maintained. When an object, such as a footwear, is thrown at the Presiding Officer in a court proceeding, the object is not to merely scandalise or humiliate the Judge, but to scandalise the institution itself and thereby lower its dignity in the eyes of the public.

36. In the instant case, after being given an opportunity to explain their conduct, not only have the contemnors shown no remorse for their unseemly behaviour, but they have gone even further by filing a fresh writ petition in which apart from repeating the scandalous remarks made earlier, certain new dimensions in the use of unseemly and intemperate language have been resorted to to further denigrate and scandalise and overawe the Court. This is one of such cases where no leniency can be shown as the contemnors have taken the liberal attitude shown to them by the Court as licence for indulging in indecorous behaviour and making scandalous allegations not only against the judiciary, but those holding the highest positions in the country. The writ proceedings have been taken in gross abuse of the process of Court, with the deliberate and wilful intention of lowering the image and dignity not only of the Court and the judiciary, but to vilify the highest constitutional functionaries.

37. In such circumstances, while agreeing with the procedure adopted by Pasayat, J. in the facts of this case, we are not inclined to interfere with the sentence which has been imposed on the contemnors. The order dated 23-3-2009 [Leila David (3) v. State of Maharashtra, (2009) 10 SCC 348 : (2009) 13 Scale 325 (2)] , granting bail to the contemnors is hereby

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recalled. The Secretary General is directed to take the contemnors into custody forthwith and to arrange to have them sent to the appropriate jail to serve out the sentence.”

(23) A perusal of the aforesaid observations would lead us

to believe that the said judgment turns on its facts. It

was contempt committed before this Court. The nature of the

contempt is clearly brought out. In fact, it was when the

contempt of court case was launched that there were further

acts which included the throwing of footwear at the Judges.

Subsequent conduct also did not reveal much of a change in

the attitude of the contemnors in the said case. What is

most relevant, however, is that the Court noticed the

presence of Articles 129 and 142 of the Constitution as

constituting sources of jurisdiction for this Court.

(24) In this case, however, in the first place, we cannot

possibly equate the Tribunal with this Court. Undoubtedly,

the Tribunal is endowed with the same power as are available

to the High Court under the Act. But conspicuously, the

powers available to this Court under Article 129 and 142 are

not available to the Tribunal. The facts of the case which

arose for consideration before this Court cannot, in our

view, be compared with the facts of the present case. The

appellant denied charges. What is more, he specifically

staked the claim to have a trial conducted on the charge

framed against him. No trial at all was conducted. In

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other words, no evidence was taken. The findings have been

rendered after framing of the charge on 10.02.2020. The

only day on which the case stood listed before the

pronouncement of the judgment is 18.03.2020. We have

noticed all that took place on 18.03.2020. On the said day,

different submissions were made. On the one hand, the

Additional Solicitor General told the Tribunal that the

trial may not be necessary in view of the judgment in Leila

David (supra). The appellant, on the other hand, joined

issue and insisted that the trial must be conducted.

A perusal of the order dated 18.03.2020 would show

that the appellant had raised his argument about the need

for a trial even in the case of a contempt being committed

in the face of the Court. In other words, he canvassed for

the position that a trial is necessary in such a case.

(25) It is pointed out by Shri Vikramjeet Banerjee, learned

Additional Solicitor General, that the appellant did along

with his counter affidavit file certain documents apparently

relating to the proceedings before the Tribunal.

(26) We would think that in the facts of this case, denial

of a right of trial which is contemplated also under Section

14(1)(c) of the Act as also Rule 15 of the Rules has

resulted in miscarriage of justice.

(27) We have noticed the central issue which had to be

decided on the strength of evidence in the teeth of the

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denial of the charge by the appellant. We would think that,

in the facts of the case, the Tribunal could not have

derived support of the judgment of this Court for reasons

already indicated.

(28) The upshot of the above discussion is that the

appellant must succeed. We are allowing this appeal only on

the ground that the procedure under the Act and in the Rules

which related to adducing of evidence when there is a denial

of the charge, was not followed. We would undoubtedly have

had no reservation in upholding the order if there was

evidence to support the charge as framed against the

appellant. Subject to these observations, the appeal is

allowed. Impugned order is set aside. Needless to say the

direction to forward the case to the Bar Council of India

will also perish. The impugned order will stand set aside.

(29) We record our deep sense of appreciation for Shri

Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor General,

who not only assisted us but assisted us with fairness and

placing the position at law before us.

…………………………………………………………., J.

[ K.M. JOSEPH ]

…………………………………………………………., J.

[ HRISHIKESH ROY ] New Delhi;

August 10, 2022.

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ITEM NO.5 COURT NO.7 SECTION II-C

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Criminal Appeal No. 892/2020

MEHMOOD PRACHA Appellant(s)

VERSUS

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL Respondent(s)

(FOR ADMISSION and IA No.134174/2020-STAY APPLICATION and IA No.134173/2020-PERMISSION TO FILE LENGTHY LIST OF DATES and IA No.134172/2020-PERMISSION TO APPEAR AND ARGUE IN PERSON)

Date : 10-08-2022 This appeal was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K.M. JOSEPH HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HRISHIKESH ROY

For Appellant(s) Appellant-in-person

For Respondent(s) Mr. Vikramjeet Banerjee, ASG.

Ms. Shruti Agarwal, Adv.

Mr. Shivam Singhania, Adv.

UPON hearing the appellant-in-person and the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R

The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed reportable judgment.

Pending applications stand disposed of.

(NIDHI AHUJA) (RENU KAPOOR) AR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

[Signed reportable judgment is placed on the file.]

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