Karan Kumar vs CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION on 14 October 2026

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL CHANDIGARH BENCH Order Sheet Item no.: 7 O.A./1094/2026 (CHANDIGARH) [ APPOINTMENT ] Court No.: 2 No of Adjournment: 3 Order Dated: 14/10/2026 KARAN KUMAR Vs CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION

For Applicant(s) Advocate : SH. ABHINAV AGGARWAL

For Respondent(s) Advocate : SH. ASEEM RAI Order of The Tribunal We have heard learned counsel for both the sides qua interim relief, inter alia, stay of operation of impugned order dated 20.07.2026(Annexure P-15) or alternatively one post of Investigator (Group C) in the Statistical Cell, Finance Department, UT, Chandigarh may be kept vacant. The applicant has preferred instant OA seeking quashing of impugned order dated 23.07.2026, whereby the claim of applicant for consideration of appointment to the post of Investigator, Group C under OBC category, has been rejected, on the basis of administration letter dated 04.07.2026 (Annexure P-16). The applicant has also prayed for direction to respondents to consider the candidature of applicant to the said post and allow him to join for the post under OBC category. The factual matrix of the case is that the applicant applied vide application dated 13.08.2025 under OBC category against the advertisement issued by respondent no. 2 to the post of Investigator Group C. The applicant participated in the written examination held on 26.08.2025 and was declared successful with highest marks amongst OBC category and accordingly shortlisted for verification of documents. The applicant submitted a representation on 09.12.2025 seeking information about the status of appointment. In response thereto, the applicant was orally asked for OBC certificate issued by the Chandigarh Administration. The applicant had applied for the said post on the basis of OBC certificate dated 27.04.2025 issued by the State of U.P. A copy of certificate is annexed at Annexure A-8. In response thereto, the applicant submitted OBC certificate dated 24.04.2026 issued by Chandigarh Administration along with undertaking affidavit by way of representation dated 24.04.2026 (Annexure A-10). Thereafter, the applicant followed up with the respondents by way of another representation dated 19.05.2026 (Annexure A-13), followed by legal notice dated 27.05.2026 (Annexure A-14). The applicant has contended that the cancellation of candidature of applicant vide impugned order dated 20.07.2026 (Annexure A-15) is arbitrary and illegal. The advertisement nowhere stipulates that the candidate must have the certificate issued by the Chandigarh Administration. Respondents have filed short reply opposing the prayer of applicant for interim relief. We have perused the material available on record including short reply preferred by respondents. The respondents have placed reliance on the decision dated 01.11.2018 passed by Hon’ble Apex Court in Civil Appeal No. 8425 of 2013 titled as Ranjana Kumari Vs. State of Uttarakhand contending that a person belonging to the reserved category in the state of origin who had migrated to another state, where, the same caste was not recognized as reserved category, the migrant cannot be recognized as SC in the migrated state. Learned counsel for respondents submits that respondents are bound to administer the reservation in accordance with the instructions applicable to UT, Chandigarh. From the perusal of material available on record, we have noticed that respondents themselves have issued the OBC certificate (Annexure A-11) dated 24.04.2026 certifying that the applicant belongs to “Ahir” caste which is recognized as OBC under the resolution dated 10.09.1983, issued by the Govt. of India. Respondents on the basis of OBC certificate issued by the authority of State of UP, issued another OBC Certificate on 24.04.2026 upon verification by authorities of UT, Chandigarh. Having regards to the facts available on record, prima facie case of interim relief is made out. One post of Investigator (Group C), Statistical Officer, Cell, Finance Department under Chandigarh Administration shall be kept vacant, during the pendency of instant OA. Three weeks time is granted to respondents to file detailed reply. List on 04.11.2026.

ANJALI BHAWRA Member (A) Suresh Kumar Batra Member (J)

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