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2026 Supreme(Online)(Del) 8153
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
V. Kameswar Rao, Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, JJ
Ajay Kumar Lohchab – Appellant
Versus
Union of India – Respondent
W.P.(C) 7868/2026 | CM APPL. 38052/2026 | CM APPL. 38054/2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Tilak Raj, Ajay Talasera, Samarth Talasera, Mudit Talasera
For the Respondents: Siddhartha Shankar Ray, Sonali Modi, Mukul Dev
The Court granted interim protection against termination of service to the petitioner, pending the final decision on the constitutionality of specific service rules, while allowing the respondents to proceed with the show cause notice process.
Headnote:
Issues: Whether the petitioner's service should be protected from termination pending the adjudication of the challenge to the LIC Development Officers Amendments Rules 2016.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. procedural applications for exemption and list of dates were allowed. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 2. challenge to the constitutionality of lic development officers rules and show cause notices. (Para 5) |
| 3. interim protection against termination of service pending disposal of the writ petition. (Para 6 , 7 , 8) |
| 4. listing of the matter with connected petitions before the appropriate bench. (Para 9) |
O R D E R
CM APPL. 38053/2026 (Exemption)
1. Exemption is allowed, subject to just exceptions.
2. The application is disposed of.
CM APPL. 38054/2026 (Lengthy list of dates)
3. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed.
4. The application is disposed of.
W.P.(C) 7868/2026, CM APPL. 38052/2026
5. This petition has been filed with the following prayers:-
(a) Writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus, certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction for declaring Rules 2(e), 2(i), 6(8) and Rule 7 of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (Revision of Certain Terms and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2009 amended as Life Insurance Corporation of India Development Officers (Revision of Certain Terms and Conditions of Service) Amendments Rules 2016, as unconstitutional being in violation of Article 14, 16, 19 and 21;
(b) Quash and set aside the Show Cause Notices dated 30.03.2026 and 17.04.2026 vide which the petitioner herein has been shown cause threatening termination from service for exceeding cost ratio by the Senior Divisional Manager, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Delhi Division Office- III, Jeevan Pravah Tower, District Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058;
(c) Writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus, certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction to set aside/quash any termination order, direction or action issued/taken by the Respondent Corporation in pursuance of the Show Cause Notices dated 30.03.2026 and 17.04.2026;
(d) Pass any other or further order(s) or direction which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”
6. The learned counsel for the petitioner has drawn our attention to pages no.143 and 144 of the paper-book to contend that the similar provisions of the Rules are under challenge in two writ petitions (pending before the Coordinate Bench), wherein the Court while issuing notices in those matters has observed that the respondents shall not determine the petitioners’ services but granted liberty to proceed with the Show Cause Notice(s) (“SCN”). Our attention has been drawn to the SCN dated 17.04.2026 issued to the petitioner.
7. The submission of learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner has submitted the reply to the SCN dated 17.04.2020. As per his information, no final order has been passed by the respondents.
8. If that be so, the respondents shall be at liberty to proceed with the SCN but the service of the petitioner would not be determined till the next date of hearing.
9. Subject to orders of Hon’ble the Chief Justice, list this petition along with W.P.(C) 12882/2018 and W.P.(C) 13895/2025 before the appropriate Bench on 16.07.2026.
