Kerala High Court
Deepa. S. Nair vs Union Of India on 20 May, 2024
Author: Amit Rawal
Bench: Amit Rawal
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 1/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT RAWAL
&
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.
Monday, the 20th day of May 2024 / 30th Vaisakha, 1946
OP (CAT) NO. 204 OF 2023
OA 264/2018 OF CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL,ERNAKULAM BENCH
PETITIONER(S)/ APPELLANTS 1,4 TO 8,10 TO 15,21,23 TO 25,27 TO 3B IN THE O.A:
1. DEEPA. S. NAIR, AGED 49 YEARS, W/O A. R. ANILKUMAR, POSTAL ASSISTANT
(SB), PONKUNNAM MDG 686506, RESIDING AT "DEEPA NIVAS",
THEERTHAPADAPURAM P.O., KOTTAYAM, PIN-686505
2. SUMI THOMAS, AGED 52 YEARS, W/O JOHN V.S. POSTAL ASSISTANT,
ERNAKULAM COLLEGE P O, RESIDING AT VALIYAPARAMBIL HOUSE,
PUTHENPURACKAL ROAD, MANJUMMEL, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, PIN- 683501
3. RAJASREE S, AGED 48 YEARS, W/O. ANILKUMAR B, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
VANCHIYOOR P.O 695035, RESIDING AT TC94/3055, MADATHIL VEEDU,
KANNAMOOLA, TRIVANDRUM PETTAH P.O., TRIVANDRUM , PIN- 695024
4. VIJIMOL GEORGE, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O, SAJAN VARGHESE, ACCOUNTANT,
ALAPPUZHA H O, RESIDING AT "PUTHENPURACKAL", POWER HOUSE WARD,
ALAPPUZHA, PIN- 688012
5. ASHA A.S., AGED 47 YEARS, W/O. GOPAKUMAR B, SPM, THIRUMULLAVARAM S
O, RESIDING AT POOMEKHALA, ARSHA NAGAR 1H, KAVANAD, KOLLAM, PIN-
691004
6. KALPANA SOMASUNDARAM, AGED 52 YEARS, W/O. B. SURESHKUMAR, SPM,
THEKKEVILA S O, RESIDING AT SANTHIBHAVAN, KILIKOLLUR P.O., KOLLAM,
PIN-691004
7. JEENA R, AGED 49 YEARS, W/O. SAJEEVKUMAR M.M. LSG SPM, ULIYAKOVIL
PO, KOLLAM- 691019 RESIDING AT UDAYAM, MYTHRI RESIDENTS, 35A,
KADAPPAKKADA, KOLLAM , PIN- 691008
8. S. SHEEJA, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O. C.D MANOJ, SPM, ERAVIPURAM S O 691
011, KOLLAM, RESIDING AT GOUTHAMAM, MAYYANAD P.O., PIN-691303
9. SILANADHAN B., AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. BERNARD P., POSTAL ASSISTANT
(RTD), KARUNAGAPALLY H O, KOLLAM, RESIDING AT ST. ANTONY'S DALE,
CHERUSSERY BHAGOM, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM , PIN- 691583
10. SINDHU. K, AGED 53 YEARS, D/O. A KRISHNAN, SPM, KOLLAM BAZAR S O,
RESIDING AT LEKSHMIANANDAM, CANTONMENT SOUTH NAGAR -181, BEACH ROAD
KOLLAM, PIN- 691001
11. NANDAKUMAR K.N, AGED 46 YEARS, S/O M. NARAYANAN SUB POSTMASTER,
KARAMCODE S O, RESIDING AT KERALALAYAM, CHIRAKKARA P.O,
KALLUVATHUKKAL KOLLAM, PIN- 691578
12. MINIKUMARY S, AGED 55 YEARS, W/O SURESHKUMAR A, SPM, PERUMPUZHA 691
504, RESIDING AT VAISAKHOM, EDAKKIDAOM P.O, EZHUKONE KOLLAM, PIN-
691505
13. S. MAHALAKSHMI, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O. R. SURAJ, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
TRIVANDRUM CHALAI S O 695 036 RESIDING AT OMKAR, SNA S-74, SASTHRI
NAGAR SOUTH, KARAMANA, TRIVANDRUM , PIN- 695002
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 2/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
14. B. SREEKALA, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O, M.S. SANILKUMAR, OFFICE ASSISTANT,
O/O THE SSPOS TRIVANDRUM NORTH DIVISION, RESIDING AT KAUSTHUBHAM,
PKRA C 134, KODUNGANNOOR P.O., VATTIYURKAVU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695013
15. SAMUEL G, AGED 52 YEARS, S/O, GEEVARGHESE SAMUEL, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
CHENGANNUR HO, RESIDING AT BETHEL, ORIPURAM, CHENNITHALA P.O,
ALAPPUZHA, PIN- 690105
16. SHUBHA C.S, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O R, GANESH, SUB POSTMASTER,
AZHIYIDATHUCHIRA S O, RESIDING AT CHANDRALAYAM, PERINGARA P. O.,
THIRUVALLA, PIN- 689108
17. MEENAKSHI AMMAL S, AGED 49 YEARS, W/O M.S. MANI, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
TRIVANDRUM FORT P.O, RESIDING AT TC 28/1216-2, SREEKANTESWARAM,
TRIVANDRUM FORT P.O., PIN- 695023
18. R.P. SANDEEP, AGED 48 YEARS, S/O, E.N. RAMACHANDRAN THAMPI, PUBLIC
RELATIONS INSPECTOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM GPO 695001 RESIDING AT
SANGEETHA, ANRA - 16, MAVARTHALAKONAM, SREEKARIYAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM,
PIN- 695017
19. RANJITHANAND BHAT N, AGED 48 YEARS, S/O. NARAYANA VADHYAR R, SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATOR,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM GPO, RESIDING AT TC 20/2634, SS
STREET, KARAMANA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM , PIN- 695002
20. APARNA D.R, AGED 48 YEARS, W/O. PRASANTH KUMAR VARMA, POSTAL
ASSISTANT, PATTOM PALACE P.O. 695 004, TRIVANDRUM, RESIDING AT
CORDON, SREEVALSAM - 2D, PIPPINMOOD, PEROORKADA P.O., TRIVANDRUM,
PIN - 695005
21. AJITHA. V.R, AGED 51 YEARS, W/O. SUNIL M.S, POSTAL ASSISTANT, TVM
UNIVERSITY SO, DN,214, RESIDING AT SREEPADMAM, DARSHAN NAGAR,
KUDAPPANAKUNNU, TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695043
22. REMA SANKAR V, AGED 50 YEARS , W/O, SURESHKUMAR R. OFFICE ASSISTANT,
O/O. THE SSPOS, TRIVANDRUM NORTH DIVISION, RESIDING AT KKRA 23,
SREENIKET, THYCAUD P.O., TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695014
23. KAVITHA G.S, AGED 49 YEARS, W/O ASOKAN K.R, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
TRIVANDRUM GPO, RESIDING AT T.C. 5/1174(1) SRADHA SURVEY SCHOOL
ROAD, PEROORKADA, TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695005
24. P. SANTHY, AGED 54 YEARS, W/O M.G. RAJKUMAR, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
VANCHIYOOR P.O., RESIDING AT TC 4/2059(3)/DAFFODILS, KURAVANKONAM,
KOUDIAR P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695003
25. MAYA C.V, AGED 49 YEARS, W/O, GANESH KUMAR B. POSTAL ASSISTANT,
TRIVANDUM UNIVERSITY P.O., TRIVANDRUM, RESIDING AT VIJAYALAYAM, JAI
NAGAR, JRA 417, THIRUMALA P.O., TRIVANDRUM , PIN - 695006
26. T.S. LEELA, AGED 52 YEARS, W/O R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, LSG SPM,
POWDIKONAM 695588, TRIVANDRUM, RESIDING AT PRA-A-45, PANCHAJANYAM,
SAMSKARA LANE, POWDIKONAM, TRIVANDRUM, PIN- 695588
27. JAYA S, AGED 52 YEARS, W/O, K.K. SUNILKUMAR, LSG SPM, CHERUNNIYUR P
O 695 142, RESIDING AT PRITHVI, CHERIYANNOOR P.O., , PIN - 695142
28. H. LETHA, AGED 47 YEARS, W/O, L GANAPATHY, POSTAL ASSISTANT,
VALLAKKADAVU S O RESIDING AT FLAT 1D, SHREYAS APARTMENTS,
VALLAKADAVU P.O.,TRIVANDRUM., PIN- 695008
RESPONDENT(S)/RESPONDENTS IN O.A:
1. UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 3/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
INDIA/DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POSTS, DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, MINISTRY OF
COMMUNICATIONS & IT, SANCHAR BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG, NEW DELHI, PIN-
110001
2. THE CHIEF POSTMASTER GENERAL, KERALA CIRCLE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
PIN- 695033
3. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, KOTTAYAM DIVISION,
KOTTAYAM, PIN- 686001
4. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, CHANGANACHERRY DIVISION,
CHANGANACHERRY, PIN- 686101
5. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES KOLLAM DIVISION, KOLLAM ,
PIN - 679335
6. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, TRIVANDRUM NORTH
DIVISION, TRIVANDRUM , PIN - 695001
7. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, ERNAKULAM DIVISION,
ËRNAKULAM, PIN- 682011
8. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, IDUKKI DIVISION, THODUPUZHA,
PIN- 685608
9. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, THIRUVALLA DIVISION, THIRUVALLA,
PIN- 689101
10. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, ALAPPUZHA DIVISION, ALAPPUZHA,
PIN- 688009
11. THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POST OFFICES, ALUVA DIVISION, ALUVA,
PIN- 683101
OP (CAT) praying inter alia that in the circumstances stated in the
affidavit filed along with the OP (CAT) the High Court be pleased to
direct the respondents to produce circle level seniority list of postal
assistants prepared in consequent to the orders in Exhibit P6 to Exhibit
P9 with relevant records inviting objections from the Petitioners.
This petition coming on for orders upon perusing the petition and
the affidavit filed in support of OP (CAT) and upon hearing the arguments
of M/S. SAJITH KUMAR V., VIVEK A.V., AMMU M. & SREEHARI V.S., Advocates
for the petitioners, and of M/S. K.S.PRENJITH KUMAR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
COUNSEL for the respondents, the court passed the following:
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 4/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
AMIT RAWAL & EASWARAN S. , JJ.
-------------------------
O.P.(CAT) No.204 of 2023
-----------------------------------
Dated this the 20th day of May 2024
ORDER
AMIT RAWAL, J.
Inter alia alleges that the petitioners along with other set of
persons were selected after having undergone the examination, as
Postal Assistants. For the purpose of joining, had to undergo training.
The examinations were conducted in different divisions. Some persons,
aggrieved of the procedure followed by the respondents in holding
examination, had approached this Court in 1996. Certain set of persons
had undergone training and the petitioners (a set of 40 persons), by
that time had not gone for training. In the earlier round of litigation, i.e.,
in O.A. No.571 of 1996 an interim order dated 3.7.1996 was passed to
the effect that the delay would not be detrimental for the purpose of
assigning the seniority.
2. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners
submitted that the persons who had already undergone the training
have been given seniority with effect from May 1996 whereas the
petitioners - applicants before the Central Administrative Tribunal have
been assigned seniority from August 1996. The only ground negating
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 5/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
the plea of the petitioners had been the delay and not submitting
any objections whereas the right of the petitioners was protected
by Annexure A7 order dated 3.7.1996.
3. Issue notice before admission. Sri. Prenjith Kumar
takes notice.
Post on 30.7.2024.
Sd/-
AMIT RAWAL, JUDGE
Sd/-
EASWARAN S., JUDGE
NS
OP (CAT) No.204/2023 6/6 Order Date : 20-05-2024
APPENDIX OF OP (CAT) 204/2023
Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 20.06.2008 IN OA
314/2007 BEFORE THE HON'BLE CAT, ERNAKULAM BENCH.
Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 16.10.2015 IN OP(CAT)
142/2015.
Exhibit P8 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.12.2010 IN SPECIAL
LEAVE TO APPEAL (CC 18773-18774/2010).
Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 25.07.2011 IN CP NO.
79/2009 IN OA 314/2007.
