PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH vs THE UNION OF INDIA & ANR.

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + Date of Decision: 10.02.2026 % LPA 540/2023 PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH .....Appellant Through: Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Dwivedi, Adv. with Appellant in person versus THE UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Riupdaman Bhardwaj, CGSC with Mr. Rahul Kr. Sharma, GP and Mr. Amit Kr. Rana, Advs. for UOI Mr. Anil Mittal and Mr. Shaurya Mittal, Mr. Atul Chauhan, Mr. Bhim Singh, Advs. for R-2 CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ. (ORAL) 1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for respondent no.2. The appellant in person, who appeared through video conferencing, has also been heard. We have also perused the records available before us. 2. Before delving into the rival submissions made on behalf of the respective parties, we need to note certain facts which are essential and relevant for the purposes of adjudicating the issue involved in this Letter Patent Appeal. Signature Not Verified Digiltally Signed LPA 540/2023 Page 1 of 15 By:SREERAM L Signing Date:12.02.2026 18:37:18 3. The appellant before being appointed on the post of General Manager (HR) in Central Electronics Limited - respondent no.2 (hereinafter referred to as the „CEL’), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the „CPSE’), was working in another CPSE, namely, Coal India Limited/Central Coal Fields Limited (hereinafter referred to as the „CCL’). 4. While he was working with CCL, an advertisement was issued by CEL - respondent no.2 in the year 2017 bearing advertisement no.98/PERS/1/2017, for appointment on various posts, including the post of General Manager (HR). 5. Clause 8 of the General Instructions appended to the advertisement clearly stated that candidates in Gr