Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 24
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order in contempt proceedings against the vice-chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), while protecting a candidate’s claim to the university’s librarian post pending a final decision.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani passed the directions while disposing of a petition filed by IUST Vice-Chancellor Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo challenging the tribunal’s order, which included the issuance of non-bailable warrants.
The bench directed the tribunal to decide the underlying original application within three months.
The dispute concerns Sheikh Muhammad Imran’s claim to serve as librarian at the Awantipora-based university.
The High Court noted that the substantive issue remained pending before the tribunal and had not yet been finally adjudicated.
The court was informed that Imran had rejoined the University of Kashmir on Sept. 22 and was working there as a librarian.
His counsel, Faizan Majeed Bhat, told the court that Imran had returned to the University of Kashmir because of alleged non-compliance with tribunal orders.
Bhat said the return was made under protest and in accordance with a Sept. 14 order of the tribunal.
He argued that the subsequent development should not prejudice Imran’s claim to the post at IUST.
The counsel urged the court to ensure that the candidate’s rights were determined without further delay.
The High Court said the pending application should be decided expeditiously in the larger interest of Imran.
It ordered that the candidate’s claim to the librarian post at IUST remain protected, subject to the final outcome of the original application before the tribunal.
The ruling does not finally determine the merits of the appointment dispute. That decision remains with the tribunal, which has been directed to conclude the proceedings within three months.
