(Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHIT KUMAR SHAH)

Date: 09-12-2025 The present writ petition has been filed against the order dated 10.12.2024, passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Patna Bench, Patna (hereinafter referred to as the “learned CAT”) in OA/050/00266/2021 whereby and whereunder the case of the petitioners has been dismissed on the ground of delay of about 11 years in approaching the learned CAT.

2. The case of the petitioners, in brief, is that they are licensed porters having valid badge number, working at different railways stations under the Sonepur Division of East Central Railway. In accordance with the decision of Railway Board issued vide letters dated 01.04.2008 and 10.04.2008, the licensed porters/coolies were required to be screened for absorption/ regularization in Group-D post of Gangman, whereafter the screening test of eligible candidates, who had applied in prescribed format dated 23.04.2008, was conducted on 01.05.2008 and then a list of selected candidates was prepared. However, the petitioners were finally not appointed/absorbed/ regularized in Group-D post with the respondent-railways.

3. The respondents had filed a written statement befo