While declining to stay a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order dismissing a petition by R. Nataraj, Director of Fire and Rescue Services, challenging the posting of Letika Saran as DGP, Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Wednesday said Ms. Saran's continuation in the post should abide by further orders on a petition by Mr. Nataraj.
Ordering notice on a petition by the DFRS seeking to quash the tribunal's order, a Division Bench comprising Justices D. Murugesan and M. Sathyanarayanan, posted the matter for June 9.
Mr. Nataraj had also sought a direction to the Chief Secretary to follow the Supreme Court decision in the Prakash Singh vs. Union of India and select the State DGP from amongst the panel of three senior-most DGPs eligible as on January 8 and consider his claim for appointment to the post.
Mr. Nataraj's grievance, as submitted by counsel, was that in the seniority civil list, Ms. Saran was ranked in serial number seven whereas he was ranked third. He questioned Ms. Saran's appointment on the ground that the Supreme Court's order had not been complied with, rather had been given the go-by.
