Punjab: Consider DSP Ram Gopal for promotion as SP, CAT directs UT Administration

DSP Ram Gopal, the senior most among all Chandigarh Police DSPs, filed a petition in CAT in 2017.

The CENTRAL Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Wednesday ordered the Chandigarh Administration to consider DSP Ram Gopal for promotion to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). The CAT also quashed the UT Administration’s claim that there is no vacancy in the rank of SP (non-IPS) in Chandigarh Police meant for promotion from the rank of DSP.

The administration was given two months’ time to implement the order.

DSP Ram Gopal, the senior most among all Chandigarh Police DSPs, filed a petition in CAT in 2017.

The CAT judgment also cleared the way for other DSPs for their promotion. Ram Gopal had joined the Chandigarh Police as an ASI in 1991, promoted out of turn as Sub-Inspector in 1993 and promoted as DSP in 2009.

According to Punjab Police Rules, through which Chandigarh Police governs, a DSP rank officer should have maximum six-year-long service for promotion to the rank of SP. As per the condition, DSP Ram Gopal was eligible for promotion in 2015. However, the Chandigarh Administration had rejected his claim stating that there is no vacancy of SP in Chandigarh Police. On this, Ram Gopal knocked at the door of CAT.

The applicant had demanded his promotion to the rank of SP equivalent to Deputy Commandant in Indian Reserve Battalion, Chandigarh. The administration submitted in CAT that the post of Deputy Commandant was abolished as it had remained vacant for a year. The applicant submitted that the UT Administration had filled the post of Deputy Commandant while bringing PCS/HCS officers from Punjab and Haryana respectively. The CAT also rejected the claim of the UT Administration that Chandigarh Police and IRB are two separate cadres.

The CAT concluded that cadre of Chandigarh Police and Indian Reserve Battalion is common and the applicant is eligible for promotion to the post of Superintendent of Police/Deputy Commandant in IRB. In so far as absence of Recruitment Rules, as pleaded by respondents is concerned, earlier Rules of 1959 would apply to the post of Deputy Commandant, which is part of the Chandigarh Police Cadre. Be that as it may, the fact is that it is a well-settled law that the Recruitment Rules which are applicable at the time of vacancy would apply and not the subsequently framed Recruitment Rules for promotional purposes. “Thus, we have no hesitation in upholding the plea of the applicant that since the applicant became eligible for promotion in 2015, so the Recruitment Rules of Punjab would be applicable to him,” the CAT observed.

The CAT observed that the merits of DSP Ram Gopal application are accepted. The respondents are directed to consider the applicant’s case for promotion to the higher post in terms of above observations and if found fit, promote him from due date with all the consequential benefits of arrears of pay and allowance and seniority, CAT orders stated.

Chandigarh Police Inspectors and DSPs are fighting a long battle for their promotion against the vacancies, which were occupied by the DANIPS cadre DSPs. Certain DSPs of DANIPS cadre are serving in Chandigarh Police despite the completion of their deputation period.

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