S. RAMU Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The challenge in this writ petition is to an order dated July 6, 2021, passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi ('Tribunal', for short) in Original Application being O.A No.624/2015 ('OA', in short), whereby the Tribunal has dismissed the OA by imposing a cost of Rs.50,000.00 on the petitioner herein.

(2.) The facts as noted from the petition are that the petitioner was employed as an Income Tax Officer (ITO) and Assistant Director of Income Tax (Investigation) between 1989 and 2003. On December 1, 2006, he was issued a charge memo alleging that, he accumulated wealth disproportionate to his known source of income; to the extent of 285%. Other charges were also framed. The said charge sheet was challenged in O.A No. 3732/2010, by raising a plea that the initiation of proceedings as well as the charge memo was not approved as required under law. Accordingly, the OA was allowed on August 26, 2011, following the judgment of this Court in the case of Union of India v. B.V. Gopinath, W.P. (C) No. 10452/2009. It was left open to the respondents to issue a fresh charge memo, in accordance with law.

(3.) Accordingly, a charge memo dated August 28, 2014, was issued referring to the earlier developments and by stating that the Competent Authority has accorded its approval at various stages.