SIDDARTH PRADHAN vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS

Judgment text excerpt

$~5 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 16294/2025, CM APPL. 66617/2025 SIDDARTH PRADHAN .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Ankur Chhibber, Adv. versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Mr. Akhil Mittal, Sr. PC with Ms. Riddhi Jain and Ms. Shayna Das Pattanayan, Advs. for UOI CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE OM PRAKASH SHUKLA JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 04.12.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This writ petition assails order dated 19 September 2025, passed by the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal1, dismissing OA 2850/2025. 2. The conspectus of the controversy being limited, no detailed allusion to facts is necessary. 3. Based on certain allegations against the petitioner, a Court of Inquiry2 was constituted. Consequent on the findings of the COI, a decision was taken that, in view of the nature of the allegations against 1 “AFT”, hereinafter 2 “COI”, hereinafter Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 16294/2025 Page 1 of 9 KUMAR Signing Date:08.12.2025 19:14:12 the petitioner and the confidentiality of the issues involved, administrative action be taken to terminate his services. The petitioner was, therefore, issued a show cause notice dated 23 September 2024, proposing to dismiss the petitioner from service following the findings of the COI and giving him an opportunity to show cause thereagainst under Rule 16(4)3 of the Air Force Rules, 1969. 4. The petitioner filed his response to the show cause notice. 5. Instead of allowing the show cause notice to be adjudicated, the petitioner moved the AFT by way of OA 2850/2025. The prayer clause in the OA read thus: “In view of the facts and circumstances stated above, it is most respectfully and humbly prayed that this Hon'ble Tribunal may be pleased: (a) To