Santosh Kumar Pattanaik vs DEPARTMENT OF POSTS on 4 November 2026

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL CUTTACK Order Sheet Item no.: 13 O.A./603/2026 (CUTTACK) [ DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING ] Court No.: 1 No of Adjournment: Order Dated: 04/11/2026 SANTOSH KUMAR PATTANAIK Vs DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

For Applicant(s) Advocate : A.Rout

For Respondent(s) Advocate : R.L.Biswal Order of The Tribunal Heard.

2. It is the case of the applicant that the Asst. Suptd. of Post Offices, Koraput Sub Division, Koraput, in contemplation of disciplinary proceedings placed the applicant under off duty with immediate effect as per Sub Rule 1 of Rule 12 of GDS (Conduct and engagement) Rules, 2020 vide order dated 25.08.2025, which was subsequently ratified by the Sr. Suptd. of Post Offices, Koraput under Rule 12 (1)(a) of rules, 2020 vide order dated 03.09.2025. However, on appeal, the Director of Postal Services, Sambalpur Region vide order dated 26.03.2026 after holding the put off duty order of the applicant is not justified, directed to revoke the said order of put off duty and posted him against non-sensitive vacant post within the same Sub Division or nearby Sub Division as the case may be. According to the applicant despite submission of representation seeking consequential order in compliance of the order of the DPS dated 26.03.2026, the Sr. Suptd. of Post Offices, after a lapse of near about three months revoked his order of suspension with immediate effect and directed to engage him as GDS ABPM, Ampavalli BO i.a.w. Pottangi until further orders against which he submitted representation on 07.07.2026 which was rejected on 21.08.2026. According to Ld Counsel for the applicant, Ampawalli BO is about 100 KMs away from the Koraput HO and beyond the Sub Division where the applicant was initially posted. It is stated that due to his health hazard and difficulties, he did not report at his place of posting and in the said circumstances, apprehends coercive adverse action against him. Hence, the applicant has filed this OA challenging order putting him under off duty dated 25.08.2025, order of ratification dated 03.09.2025, charge sheet dated 17.11.2025, order of reinstatement dated 18.06.2024 posting him at Ampavalli and order of rejection dated 21.08.2026.

3. By way of ad interim relief, he prayed keeping his order of posting dated 18.06.2026 in abeyance alternatively to direct the authorities to post him against any vacant post of GDS BPM within Koraput Sub Division/Headquarters or allow him to discharge the duty at his original station/Kendar BO on medical and humanitarian ground.

4. Ld. Counsel for the applicant opposed the grant of interim order prayed for by the applicant.

5. Considering the nature and gravity of the matter, this OA is admitted. No notice be issued to the respondents by the Registry since Ms. R.L.Biswal appears for the respondents and takes notice for all the respondents to file detailed counter to the main OA.

6. Similarly, insofar as grant of ad interim order, Ld. Counsel for the respondents has prayed for some time to obtain instruction and file preliminary reply to the same.

7. Ld. Counsel for the applicant did not object the grant of time to the respondents to file preliminary objection to the IR but has submitted that the applicant apprehends for ad verse coercive action in case of non joining in his new place of posting and, therefore, sincerely prayed that till further consideration is given to the ad interim orderpr4yaed for in this OA after filing the reply, the respondents be directed not to take any coercive action against the applicant for his non-joining at the new place of posting. The above submission of the applicant appeals to judicial conscience for granting the ad interim order to the above extent. Hence, while granting 14 days time to the Ld counsel for the respondents to file reply to the IR prayed for in this OA, by way of ad interim measure, the respondents are directed not to take any coercive action for non-joining of the applicant at his new place of posting, i.e. Ampavalli BO i.a.w. Pottangi, till next date that is fixed to 19.11.2026. The respondents are also made free to post the applicant in any nearby places.

8. List this matter on 19.11.2026.

9. Copy of this order be given to Ld counsel for both sides.

Pramod Kumar Das Member (A) SUDHI RANJAN MISHRA Member (J) Ravi Kumar ( ps )