New Delhi, February 19 The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by former West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal's (CAT) decision to transfer his case from Kolkata to New Delhi.
"The petition is dismissed (as it) lacks merit," said Justices C Hari Shankar and Jyoti Singh.
Alapan Bandyopadhyay had sought a review of the judgment of then Chief Justices D N Patel and Jyoti Singh on March 7, 2022, arguing that he had not been given a fair opportunity to present his case before the CAT reserved its judgment.
The judgment had stated that the transfer order was within the legal framework, as the cause of action arose in New Delhi due to the disciplinary and inquiry proceedings taking place there.
Bandyopadhyay had initially approached the Kolkata bench of the CAT to challenge the proceedings initiated against him in connection with his absence from a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kalaikunda Air Force Station on May 28, 2021, to discuss the effects of cyclone 'Yaas'.
The proceedings against the petitioner were initiated by the Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievance and Pensions.
Bandyopadhyay, who was not released by the state government, chose to retire on May 31, 2021, his original retirement date, after being granted an extension of three months from that date.
The Union government had filed a transfer petition before the principal bench of CAT, which on October 22, 2021, allowed the transfer of Bandyopadhyay's application to itself in New Delhi.
On January 6, 2022, the Supreme Court had overturned a Calcutta High Court order that had quashed the CAT transfer order and granted Bandyopadhyay the right to challenge it before the relevant high court.
The apex court had delivered its verdict on a petition filed by the Centre challenging the October 29, 2021 order of the Calcutta High Court.