Case Details

  • Case: Special Leave Petition (Civil) No.36, Section XI‑B, Supreme Court of India.
  • Diary No.: 30454/2026.
  • Origin: Arising from impugned final judgment dated 18‑12‑2025 in WP(C) No.2933/2025 of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • IA Nos.: 165591/2026 (condonation of delay) and 165592/2026 (exemption from filing copy of impugned judgment).
  • Hearing Date: 08‑06‑2026.
  • Court: Supreme Court of India, Court No.8, Item No.36, Section XI‑B.
  • Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Manmohan and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Vijay Bishnoi.
  • Petitioners: UT of Jammu & Kashmir & ORS.
  • Respondents: Rattan Lal & Anr.
  • Counsel for Petitioners: Mr. Pashupathi Nath Razdan, AOR.

Parties Involved

  • Petitioner: UT of Jammu & Kashmir & ORS.
  • Respondent: Rattan Lal & Anr.
  • Petitioner’s Counsel: Mr. Pashupathi Nath Razdan (Advocate on Record).
  • Bench: Justice Manmohan and Justice Vijay Bishnoi.
  • Court Master: Neha Gupta (digitally signed the order).

Issues / Allegations / Violations

  • The High Court and the Administrative Tribunal directed the petitioner to operate a waiting list that had expired by operation of law under Rule 14(7) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Rules, 2010.
  • Petitioner's counsel contended that the select list and waiting list were prepared pursuant to a recruitment advertisement floated nearly ten years ago, making the direction erroneous.

Findings & Observations

  • The Supreme Court observed that the waiting list had indeed expired under the statutory provision (Rule 14(7)).
  • It recognized the petitioner's argument that the recruitment process dated back almost a decade, rendering the High Court’s and Tribunal’s directions inappropriate.

Penalties / Settlements / Directions

1. Condonation of Delay: The Court condoned the delay in filing the Special Leave Petition.

2. Stay Order: A stay was imposed on the impugned judgments passed by the High Court and the Administrative Tribunal until further orders.

3. Notice Issuance: The Court directed that notice be issued to the respondents by all modes, returnable on 20‑07‑2026.

Corrective Actions & Future Obligations

  • The stay remains effective pending any further directions from the Court.
  • Respondents must file their response to the notice by the stipulated return date (20 July 2026).

Final Ruling & Enforcement

  • The Supreme Court upheld the petitioner's request for condonation of delay and stayed the operative effect of the High Court and Tribunal orders.
  • The matter is listed for further hearing, and the Court Master, Neha Gupta, digitally signed the order on 09‑06‑2026 at 15:21:50 IST.