Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Slaps ₹20,000 Cost on CBIC’s Chairman for Non-Compliance and Repeated Absence
Issue: To hold the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) accountable for non-compliance with the Tribunal’s previous orders and for the repeated absence of the concerned officer during hearings of a service matter.
Facts:
- The case was heard by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
- The matter involved a service-related petition filed by an applicant who was awaiting a final decision or relief ordered by the Tribunal.
- The respondents, including the Chairman of the CBIC, failed to comply with previous directions of the Tribunal to finalize the matter or send the appropriately empowered officer to the hearing.
- The CAT observed a dereliction of duty and a casual approach by the high-ranking authority towards the judicial process.
Decision:
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, imposed a penalty of ₹20,000 in costs on the Chairman of the CBIC due to the non-compliance with the Tribunal’s orders and the casual approach demonstrated in the proceedings.
Key TakeDowns:
- Accountability for Non-Compliance: The ruling sends a strong message that high-ranking officials, including the Chairman of the CBIC, are not exempt from accountability for failing to execute judicial and quasi-judicial orders in service matters.
- Imposing Costs: The penalty of imposing costs is a measure used by the Tribunal to deter government departments from adopting a dilatory (delaying) or casual attitude toward litigation and ordered relief.
- Protecting Employee Rights: The decision ultimately protects the rights of the employee (the applicant in the service matter) by compelling the highest administrative authority to ensure the final implementation of the Tribunal’s judgment
Source :- deepak-niranjannath-pandit