MOHD. AFTAB ALAM vs THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA & ANR

Judgment text excerpt

$~19 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of Decision: 21st May, 2026 + W.P.(C) 1329/2020 MOHD. AFTAB ALAM .....Petitioner Through: Ms. Adrija Bhadra and Mr. Hasnain Ali Zuberi, Advocates. versus THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA & ANR .....Respondents Through: Ms. Surbhi Mehta and Mr. Hari Krishnan Sangwa, Advocates for R-1. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA JUDGMENT SANJEEV NARULA, J. (Oral): 1. The Petitioner has invoked the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Respondents to reinstate him in service, with full back wages and continuity of service. His grievance arises from a letter dated 4th October, 2019, issued by Respondent No. 2, M4 Solutions Pvt. Ltd., by which he was discharged from duties with effect from the close of office hours on that date. Factual Background 2. The Petitioner states that he applied for employment pursuant to advertisements published on websites and job portals. According to him, he was called for an interview at the headquarters of Respondent No. 1, Signature Not Verified Dgitally Signed By:ANITA BAITAL W.P.(C) 1329/2020 Page 1 of 17 Signing Date:28.05.2026 13:28:44 namely, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India [“ICAI”], at ICAI Bhawan, New Delhi. He asserts that officers of ICAI interviewed and selected him for deployment as a Civil Engineer. However, instead of issuing an appointment directly, ICAI engaged him through intermediary contractors. 3. The Petitioner’s engagement began on 12th July, 2012 through Randstad India Ltd./MAFOI, which issued a fixed-term contract of employment and, by a deputation letter of the same date, placed him with ICAI. Thereafter, the contracting agency changed more than once: from Randstad India L