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2024 Supreme(Online)(CAT) 2698

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL ERNAKULAM BENCH Review Application No.180/0019/2024 in Original Application No.180/00604/2023 Thursday, this the 9rd day of January, 2025 CORAM:

HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE K.HARIPAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON'BLE Mrs. V.RAMA MATHEW, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER

1. Union of India, Rep. by the Secretary (Posts), Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

2. The Director General (Posts), Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

3. The Assistant Director General (SPG), Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

4. The Assistant Director General (DE) Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

5. The Director (DE) Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001

6. The Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, North Block, Central Secretariat, New Delhi-110001

7. The Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Postal Circle, Thiruvananthapuram-695 033.

-Review Applicants/Respondents inO.A. [By Advocate: Smt.O.M.Shalina SCGSC]

Versus

1. Sankar N.S., Aged 37 years, S/o N Sivan, Devadhwani, Sankarapuram, Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur-680581, Presently working as Manager, Speed post Centre, Thrissur- 680001

2. Hemalatha, Aged 46 years, D/o Radhakrishnan N, 33/938, JKS 119, Narayaneeyam, Perumbhotta Road, Elamakkara 682026, Presently working as ASPM Edapally, (HSG II) Edapally, Ernakulam division.

3. Resmabindu C. P., Aged 52 years, D/o Papputty C P, Pachambill House, Pudurkkara, Ayyanthole, Thrissur 680003, Presently working as HSG II, APM Accounts, Thrissur HO-680001

4. Manoj K., Aged 41 years, S/o Mohan C Nair, Sreelakam, Kidangodi, Kanjikode West, 678623, Presently working as Postmaster HSG II, Coyalmanna SO, Palakkad Division - Respondents/Applicants in O.A. [By Advocate: Smt. R.Leela]

The application having been heard on 06.12.2024, the Tribunal on

09.01.2025 delivered the following:

O R D E R

Justice K.Haripal This is a Review Application filed by the respondents in the Original Application seeking to review the order dated 27.09.2024 in the Original Application.

2. The crux of the arguments of the Review Applicants/respondents in the Original Application is that at the time of final hearing of the O.A., copy of order of Bangalore Bench of this Tribunal - Annexure-RA2 in OA 632/2023 was placed before this Tribunal. But the Court failed to make mention about the said decision, nor relied on it and allowed the O.A. taking a contra view. According to the Review Applicants, it is a decision of a co-ordinate Bench of equal strength, whereunder the O.A. seeking self same relief was dismissed by the Bangalore Bench. Challenge in both the O.A. was one and the same. This Tribunal which is a subsequent co-ordinate Bench of equal strength, instead of taking a contra view should have referred the matter to a larger bench as held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Union of India & others v. S.K.Kapoor [(2011) 4 SCC 589]. That has resulted in rendering two decisions of co-ordinate Benches of equal strength on the same set of facts.

3. According to the petitioners, such contradictory decisions have pan-India applicability. Moreover, such conflicting views by co- ordinate Benches have resulted in dichotomous situation. Therefore, if results are declared as directed by this Tribunal, in the backdrop of the decision of the Bangalore Bench, it may result in further complications.

4. The respondents in the Review Applicants, who are the Original Applicants have disputed the contentions and sought for dismissing the Review Application. According to them, in pursuance to the order passed by this Tribunal, the official respondents in the Original Application have circulated a draft Recruitment Rules for PS Group-B cadre inviting comments from the stakeholders. Annexure-R1 would clarify the actual intention of the department. Referring to Annexure-R2 it is submitted after Annexure-RA1 order the respondents have withdrawn Writ Petition No. 15184/2024 pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Rajasthan. Referring to Gopal KrishanIndly v. Fifth Additional District Judge, Kanpur [AIR 1981 Allahabad 300] and Indo-Swiss Time Ltd. v. Umrao [AIR 1981 Punjab and Haryana 213] it is submitted that when there are two conflicting judgments, the latter should prevail. The contention that Annexure-RA1 order was passed without referring to RA2 is factually incorrect. Through documents these respondents could show that the persons who sought permission for attending the examination were permitted to appear for the examination. Such contentions were not raised before the Bangalore Bench. In fine, the Review Application is sought is dismissed.

5. We heard learned counsel on both sides.

6. The argument of the Review Applicants, who are the respondents in the Original Application, is that even though Annexure- RA2 order of the Bangalore Bench dated 07.06.2024 was produced before this Tribunal on 30.08.2024, the Tribunal did not make any reference about it in the Annexure-RA1 Order, which is illegal, which resulted in rendering conflicting decisions by co-equal Benches.

7. There cannot be denial of the fact that Annexure-RA2 order was produced before this Tribunal by the learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel during the course of argument and had pointed out that the Bangalore Bench had dismissed the O.A., whereby correctness of cancellation of the notification and issue of a fresh notification was upheld. But this Tribunal has taken a contrary view. It is a fact that by an inadvertent omission the Tribunal failed to notice it in the Annexure-RA1 order. Resultantly, two co-equal Benches have rendered conflicting decisions on the same issue. As rightly pointed out, that will have pan-India complications. Matter relates to the filling up of 25% of the quota meant for Postal Services Group-B cadres through Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations. M

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