Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notice to DoPT Secretary Over Delay in IRS Officer’s ITAT Appointment

Overview The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to Rachna Shah, IAS , Secretary of the DoPT . The notice stems from the Union’s failure to convene a fresh SCSC for appointing an IRS officer as a Member (Accountant) of the ITAT . Key Developments On 30 January 2026 , the Court ordered the Union to consider the petitioner’s appointment within four weeks after constituting the SCSC. The petitioner, Captain Pramod Kumar Bajaj , had cleared four selection rounds but faced repeated delays and “cooked‑up” charges. The Court observed that the Union deliberately created hurdles at every stage, violating earlier orders. Rs 5 lakhs costs were imposed on the Union for non‑compliance. The Court directed DoPT to hold a fresh SCSC within four weeks, excluding the concerned officer, and to inform the petitioner of the outcome within two weeks. Because the order remained unimplemented, a contempt petition was filed; notice to the respondents is returnable on 14 April 2026 . Important Facts The petitioner secured All India Rank 1 in the 2014 SCSC chaired by a sitting Supreme Court judge. Despite this, the Union repeatedly stalled his appointment by levelling unfounded allegations. The contempt petition was filed under the provisions that empower the Court to enforce its judgments against the executive. UPSC Relevance This case illustrates several themes pertinent to the UPSC syllabus: Administrative Law & Judicial Review : The power of the Supreme Court to enforce compliance and punish contempt underscores the checks and balances between the judiciary and the executive (GS2). Public Service Recruitment : The role of the DoPT and SCSC in transparent, merit‑based appointments highlights the importance of procedural fairness in civil services (GS2). Fiscal Governance : The ITAT’s function in tax dispute resolution is vital for revenue administration, linking to fiscal policy and tax administration (GS3). Accountability Mechanisms : Imposition of costs and contempt proceedings demonstrate mechanisms to hold the Union accountable for non‑implementation of court orders (GS2). Way Forward For aspirants, the case offers actionable insights: Understand the statutory framework governing senior appointments, especially the role of the DoPT and SCSC. Study Supreme Court precedents on contempt and executive non‑compliance to appreciate judicial oversight. Track the implementation of the Court’s order; any further delay could lead to stricter penalties, reinforcing the principle of rule of law. In answer writing, link this incident to broader themes of administrative accountability, merit‑based recruitment, and the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional governance.