Hyderabad, Jan 7 The Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted interim stay against a CAT order that quashed the appointment of Jaiteerth R Joshi as DG of BrahMos.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin passed the direction on petitions filed by Joshi and the Union Government challenging the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
The CAT on December 29 last year quashed the appointment of Joshi as Director General BrahMos, and directed the Union Government and other respondents to reconsider the claim of the applicant Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu, Distinguished Scientist, DRDO, for appointment to the post.
Joshi was appointed as DG of BrahMos on November 25, 2024 and assumed office on December 1, 2024.
Naidu approached CAT against Joshi's appointment.
Joshi, who challenged the CAT order in the HC, said in his plea that there was no deviation in the process of his selection and neither did Naidu raise any procedural violations, but for contending that the exercise of calling for an Advertisement (for the post) being an empty formality.
Joshi further contended that the Tribunal has exceeded its jurisdiction by giving a positive direction, to consider persons other than the petitioner (Naidu), for appointment in excess of its powers.
He also submitted that despite being compliant with the eligibility criteria and undergoing the selection process in fair manner, he is put to hardships and sufferings for no fault.
Joshi also said he fully qualifies with the requirements as notified in the advertisement for the post.
Joshi's advocates, in their arguments, emphasized on suitability to the post and not just seniority. They said three candidates were found eligible for appointment to the post of DG of which the high-powered committee selected Joshi.
They also argued that there cannot be a judicial review of the decision of the high-powered committee in appointing Joshi to the post.
Naidu contended before the CAT that he is having three Prime Minister Awards and Commendation of Tri Service Medal by the Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee (COSC), the first award ever given to a civilian officer for outstanding support to the strategic missile systems along with many other awards and appreciation letters, which are all relevant to the DRDO work, but not general fellowships claimed by Joshi.
Therefore, apparently, the competent authority has done just an empty formality to give effect to the predetermined decision to appoint Joshi as DG, BrahMos, without considering his credentials in proper perspective, he said.
The High Court posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.
Joshi had assumed charge as the Director General, Brahmos, DRDO and CEO&MD, Brahmos Aerospace on December 1, 2024.
Hyderabad, Jan 7 The Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted interim stay on a CAT order that quashed the appointment of Jaiteerth R Joshi as DG of BrahMos Aerospace.
The High Court order came on a plea filed by Joshi seeking to stay the operation of the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
The CAT on December 29 last year quashed the appointment of Joshi as Director General BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian JV, and directed the Union Government and other respondents to reconsider the claim of the applicant Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu for appointment to the post.
