Sh. Lal Babu Thakur v. Union Of India And ANR

$~63 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CONT.CAS(C) 1572/2025 SH. LAL BABU THAKUR .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Chandan Kumar Jha and Col.

Arunender Thakur, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents Through:

Mr. Ashish K. Dixit, CGSC along with Mr. Umar Hashmi and Ms. Iqra Sheikh, Advocates for R-1.

Ms. Jyoti Tiwary, Advocates for R-2 (Coal India Limited).

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

O R D E R

% 27.01.2026 CM APPL. 5257/2026 (early hearing) 1.

This is an application seeking early hearing. 2.

Considering the averments made in the application, the same is allowed; accordingly, CONT.CAS(C) 1572/2025 is taken up for hearing today itself.

3.

The application stands disposed of.

CONT.CAS(C) 1572/2025 4.

During the course of hearing, learned counsel for the respondents draws attention to an order dated 17.10.2025 passed by the respondent (Coal India Limited) in compliance with the directions contained in the order dated 22.07.2025 passed in W.P.(C) 10437/2025. The said order reads as under: "Ref. No. CIL/MP&IR/CC/LB Thakur/1051 Date: 17.10.2025 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

ORDER

Whereas, the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in WP (C) 10437/2025 (Lal Babu Thakur -versus- Union of India & others) on 22.7.2025 has inter-alia passed the following order:- ..........The writ petition is, therefore, disposed of with the direction that the petitioner may make a request for transfer within one week from today. The respondents will consider the same, and pass appropriate order within a period of eight weeks thereafter............. And Whereas, a representation dated 26.7.2025 of Sri Lal Babu Thakur has been received, in which he has requested to transfer him from CCL, Ranchi to CIL, New Delhi. The transfer request of Shri Lal Babu Thakur has been examined as per Transfer Policy for Non- Executives of CIL & its Subsidiaries circulated vide Order dated 30.08.2023 bearing Ref No. CIL/C-5B/MP/Trans.Policy/552.

Accordingly as per the said Policy, comments/views of CCL, Ranchi was sought upon the transfer request of Sri Thakur. CCL, Ranchi informed that they can consider the request of Sri Thakur only upon getting a suitable substitute. CCL has also mentioned that against the Sanctioned Strength of 403, CCL has only 295 Peons i.e. having a shortage of 108 Peons. Subsequently, the transfer request of Shri Thakur along with comments received from CCL, Ranchi was forwarded to CIL New Delhi Office for their Comments. CIL, New Delhi informed that no substitute of Peon Grade is available with them and cannot be spared from their office.

And Whereas, after going through the facts mentioned above and as per the existing Transfer Policy for Non- Executives in CIL & its Subsidiaries, the Company is unable to accept the transfer request of Sri Thakur from CCL, Ranchi to CIL, New Delhi Office. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority. Sd/- (Gautam Banerjee) Executive Director (HR)"

5.

In view thereof, there is apparent compliance with the directions contained in the order dated 22.07.2025 passed in W.P.(C) 10437/2025. 6.

As such, no further orders are required to be passed in the present contempt petition; the same is, accordingly, disposed of. 7.

At this stage, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the order The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

dated 17.10.2025 suffers from grave error apparent on the face of the record. It is submitted that the respondent (Coal India Limited) has not examined the matter in right perspective and has unreasonably / arbitrarily denied the request of the petitioner. The order has also been passed belatedly, as a result of which, substantial prejudice has been caused to the petitioner. 8.

It shall be open for the petitioner to agitate these aspects by filing a substantive petition in accordance with law.

9.

The petition stands disposed of in the above terms. 10.

The date already fixed i.e., 19.03.2026 stands cancelled. SACHIN DATTA, J JANUARY 27, 2026/r The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.