IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P. (PIL) No. 4963 of 2025 Vikash Chandra @ Guddu Baba (M) ….. Petitioner Versus The Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi & Others ….. Respondents -----

CORAM HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR -----

For the Petitioner: In-Person For the Res.-CIP: Mr. Ayush, A.C. to A.S.G.I.

For the Res.-State: Mr. Piyush Chitresh, A.C. to A.G.

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09/19.02.2026

1. Heard the petitioner, who appears in person as well as Mr. Ayush, learned A.C. to A.S.G.I., who appears for respondent-CIP.

2. In paragraph Nos. 5, 6 & 7 of our order dated 19.11.2025, we observed the following:

“5. The respondent Nos. 2 and 3 have filed counter affidavit which goes to indicate that process for filling up the sanctioned vacant post of Doctors, Professors, Para Medical Staff and other employees is under active consideration of the competent authority and necessary steps in this regard have also been initiated in accordance with the prescribed rules, procedures and availability of candidates through recruiting agencies. However, the affidavit is conspicuously silent with regard to the recruitments to be made to the Grade-D services.

6. Therefore, let a fresh affidavit in this regard be filed within two weeks.

7. In the meanwhile, effective steps for the ongoing recruitments be carried out by the respondents.”

3. In response, Dr. Vijai Kumar Chaudhary, Director of Central Institute of Psychiatry (C.I.P.), Ranchi has filed a supplementary counter affidavit dated 23.12.2025. It has been stated in the said affidavit that Group-D posts have been upgraded to Group-C posts.

4. The supplementary counter affidavit does not comment upon “active consideration” or the “steps” initiated for filling up the vacant posts of Doctors, Professors, Paramedical staff and other medical employees. The affidavit also does not state anything about the steps taken to fill up the Group-C posts after Group-D posts were upgraded to Group-C posts.

5. Unfortunately, we get the impression that the Director of the CIP, Ranchi is treating the Court’s order most casually. Vague assurances “active consideration” or “steps” have been given to this Court without, perhaps, any real intention of compliance. Even today, no instructions have been given to learned counsel for the CIP about the status of any “active consideration” or the “steps” for filling up the vacancies.

6. Mr. Ayush, learned counsel for the CIP, very ably explains to us how the CIP is an old institute established in the year 1918. Our concern is that this old and reputed institute should live up to its reputation and functions efficiently for the benefit of its patients. For this, the vacant posts have to be filled up, otherwise, functioning of this institute would become difficult. This is the responsibility of the Union of India as well as the Director of the CIP, Ranchi.

7. Even in the case of encroachments upon the CIP property, we noticed that the entire attempt was passed on the State Government officials. Now, except for assuring the Court that the issue of filling up the vacancies is under active consideration or the steps have been initiated, nothing further is disclosed in the affidavit.

8. Therefore, as a last chance, we direct the Director of the CIP, Ranchi to file an affidavit within four weeks candidly disclosing the steps taken for filling up the vacant posts and precise guidelines within which such posts would be filled up. The Director of the CIP, Ranchi at least now cannot afford to give excuse that he has joined this post recently. Ultimately, the Director will have to assume and ensure the responsibility to see that the vacancies are filled up at the earliest.

9. The Director of the CIP, Ranchi must file the affidavit by

31.03.2026 after serving an advance copy of the same to learned counsel for the petitioner through e-mail.

10. List this matter on 16.04.2026.

(M. S. Sonak, C.J.)

(RAJESH SHANKAR, J.)

19.02.2026

Satish/Vik