Authority: Uttarakhand High Court (Hon'ble Manoj Kumar Tiwari, J.)
Order Date: 21 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Petitioner Pankaj Sharma, former Durwan of Ordnance Factory, Raipur, Dehradun, versus Union of India & Others (including India Optel Ltd as estate officer).
- Background: Sharma was compulsorily retired on 16 August 2022. He filed Original Application No. 646 of 2026 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Nainital, challenging the retirement; the application remains pending.
- Notice: On 30 June 2026, the Estate Officer of India Optel Ltd issued a notice demanding penal rent of ₹80,467 for alleged unauthorized occupation of official accommodation and ordered vacating within seven days, threatening eviction proceedings.
- Petitioner’s Submissions: Counsel argued that the CAT quorum is incomplete, causing delay, and sought temporary protection to approach the Tribunal.
- Court’s Observations: The writ petition is pending before the Tribunal; relief could have been sought there; however, the petitioner requires time to file the appropriate application.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition is disposed by allowing the petitioner to move the appropriate application before the Central Administrative Tribunal.
- The effect of the impugned notice is suspended for a period of two months from the date of this order.
Topics: Legal Relief, Government Accommodation