High Court Summons CAT Registrar Over “Lapse” in Transferring Case Records | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Taking a stern view of judicial non-compliance, the High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Registrar of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, to appear in person to explain the failure to transfer case records despite explicit orders.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar, while summoning the Tribunal’s Registrar, expressed dissatisfaction after finding that an order issued on April 29, 2026, had been ignored by the Tribunal.

The matter pertains to a writ petition filed by Obaid Hamid Bhat against the University of Kashmir and others. In its earlier proceedings on April 29, 2026, the Court determined that the nature of the controversy required the Original Application (OA) pending before the CAT to be “called and disposed of here,” a course of action to which the counsel for all parties involved had expressed “no objection”. Consequently, the High Court Registry was directed to fetch the records to ensure the case could be considered alongside the writ petition by May 6, 2026.

However, when the case was called for a hearing on May 6, it was revealed that the Tribunal had failed to remit the records despite formal communication and a subsequent telephonic reminder from the Registrar Judicial.

“This Court is left with no option but to direct the Registrar, Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, to appear in person on the next date of hearing and explain the lapse,” the Bench ordered, observing that the previous “order dated 29.04.2026 has not been complied with”.

The Court further mandated that the official must “ensure that the Original Application (OA), in original, is transferred to this Court strictly in terms of order dated 29.04.2026”. The case is now scheduled for further consideration on May 12, 2026. (KDC)