After fighting a protracted legal battle at various levels for a decade to seek promotion, pay and perks, a former sports quota (cricketer) railway employee got justice from Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) which directed Indian Railways to immediately restore the "bonafide" demands of employee Rakesh Kumar (retired passenger guard).
While restoring the 'honour' of Rakesh Kumar, the Chandigarh branch of CAT also mentioned that the respondents (the then General Manager Vishvesh Chaube and DRM Ferozpur Vivek Kumar) cannot escape from their liability by implementing the court orders."
Rakesh had invoked contempt jurisdiction alleging non-compliance and disobedience by Northern Railway GM and DRM pertaining to directions of earlier CAT order of May 2015 that the petitioners grievances be addressed immediately.
Rakesh in his petition had claimed for promotion to the post of Goods Guard every year beginning 2005 till 2011 which was always rejected even after he complied with all the requisites merits. Failing to get his dues, Rakesh lodged complaints at all levels including Railway Ministers, PMO and Rahstrapati Bhawan time to time alleging massive corruption in the departmental promotions.
"We can lift the veil to find out the real intention of the respondents (senior railway officials) to subvert the directions. If now the respondents are held guilty for not implementing the order charges can be framed against them," said CAT Judge Sanjeev Kaushik and Member P Gopinath in their May 2019 CAT order.