PINTOO KUMAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners have filed this petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India to impugn the judgment of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (Tribunal) passed in OA No.3203/2002 dated 21.2.2003 and in RA No.63/2003 on 3.4.2003 whereby the Tribunal has dismissed the aforesaid OA and RA filed by the petitioners.

(2.) The petitioners had approached the Tribunal since they apprehended discontinuation of their services on the expiry of the contractual period of their engagement by the respondents, and therefore sought the quashing of the order dated 27.11.2002 whereby it was decided not to give extension to them after expiry of the contractual period on 10.12.2002. The petitioners had also staked a claim for regularisation of their services.

(3.) A commission of enquiry known as Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Enquiry was set up on 16.12.92 to enquire into the demolition of the Ram Janam Bhoomi Babri Masjid at Ayodhya. The initial tenure of the Commission was three years, but due to various complications the assignment of the Commission was not completed and its term has been extended from time to time. The petitioners were engaged temporarily on ad hoc basis by the Commission by entering into contracts in the year 1994. The ad hoc appointments of the petitioners were extended from time to time with the extension of the Commission's tenure after giving a break of few days. The petitioners were informed that their services were liable to be terminated without assigning any reasons, and it was also made clear to them that they would not stake any claim for regular absorption. The petitioners were working as Peons/LDCs.