Anuj Sharma v. Airports Authority Of India And ANR

$~72 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 9956/2025 & CM APPL. 41420/2025 ANUJ SHARMA .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Ravi Kumar, Advocate.

versus AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents Through:

Mr. Vaibhav Kalra and Ms. Neha Bhatnagar, Advocate for AAI.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 16.07.2025 1.

Issue notice. Mr. Vaibhav Kalra, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of Airport Authority of India ["AAI"]. 2.

The petitioner served in the Indian Air Force ["IAF"] from 14.12.2000 and was discharged on 31.12.2021. Pursuant to an advertisement issued by the respondent No. 1 -AAI in December 2022, he applied for the post of Senior Assistant (Official Language). He was offered appointment by a letter dated 28.10.2023, and joined the services of AAI on 06.11.2023.

3.

The present writ petition concerns his claim for pay protection on the basis of his last drawn salary in the IAF. The petitioner relies upon a circular issued by AAI dated 18.10.2023, which provides for pay protection in respect of employees "coming from other CPSEs/State PSUs/ Govt. Dept. immediately before joining AAI". The petitioner's W.P.(C) 9956/2025 Page 1 of 2 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/07/2025 at 12:11:03

representation dated 04.12.2023 was rejected by the impugned order dated 18.12.2023, which is an unreasoned order. 4.

The petitioner has made further representations, lastly on 26.03.2025. Those requests have not elicited a response. It is the specific contention of the petitioner that the benefit of pay protection has been granted to similarly placed ex-servicemen.

5.

Having regard to the fact that the impugned order is entirely devoid of reasons, and the petitioner's subsequent representations remain pending, AAI is directed to take a fresh decision, also considering the grounds placed in the present writ petition, and to communicate a speaking order to the petitioner within four weeks from today. 6.

The writ petition, alongwith pending application, is disposed of with these directions, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the Court in the event of an adverse decision.

PRATEEK JALAN, J JULY 16, 2025 SS/KA/ W.P.(C) 9956/2025 Page 2 of 2 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/07/2025 at 12:11:03