A RENJAN IFS vs THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
ERNAKULAM BENCH
R.A.No.180/0027/2025 in O.A.No.180/00187/2021,
R.A.No.180/0010/2026 in O.A.No.180/0014/2019,
R.A.No.180/0011/2026 in O.A.No.180/00187/2021,
R.A.No.180/0013/2026 in O.A.No.180/0016/2019
&
R.A.No.180/0039/2026 in O.A.No.180/0016/2019
th
Friday, this the 9 day of October, 2026
CORAM:
HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE K.HARIPAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Mrs. V.RAMA MATHEW, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER
R.A.No.27/2025
1. A. Renjan IFS (retired on 31.07.2021), Aged 62 years, S/o Appu Menon,
Formerly working as Deputy Conservator of Forests in Full Additional
charge of Conservator of Forest Inspection and Evaluation,
Aranya Bhavan Forest Complex, S.H Mount P.O, Kottayam - 656 006.
Now residing at Neeranjanam, SRRA 74 BTC Road, Maradu 682 304.
2. D.Rathish IFS (retired on 30.06.2021), Aged 62 years, S/o.Daniel,
Formerly working as Deputy Conservator of Forests Research, South
Rajiv Gandhi Forest Complex PTP Nagar, Vattiyoorkavu PO, Habitat, GRA-
C-263/1, Kuruvikadu, Vattiyoorkavu P.O, Thiruvananthapuram – 695013.
-Review Applicants/Applicants in the O.A.
(By Advocate : P.K.Manoj Kumar)

v e r s u s
1. Union of India, represented by the Secretary to Government,
Ministry of Environment and Forest, Paryavaran Bhavan, C.G.O.Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003.
2. Union of India represented by the Secretary to Government,
Department of Personnel and Training.

3. The State of Kerala represented by the Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala, Secretariat,Thiruvananthapuram - 695 001.
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4. The Principal Accountant General (A&E) Kerala, Office of the Accountant
General (A & E), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 039.
- Respondents/Respondents in the O.A.

(By Advocates : Mr.Sinu.G.Nath, SPC for R1 and R2
Mr.M.M.Salim, Sr. GP for R3 and R4)
R.A.No.10/2026
1. The State of Kerala represented by Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001.
2. The Accountant General (A&E),
Office of the Accountant General,
Stateof Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001
...Review Applicants/Respondents 2 & 3 in O.A.
(By Advocates : Mr.M.M.Salim, Sr. GP

v e r s u s
1. Y. Vijayan, Aged 58 years, S/o.Yacob, Divisional Forest Officer,
Kottayam, Residing at Karthika, Kaliyikkal Lane, Studio Road,
Vellayani, Estate P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695019
2. Union of India represented by the Secretary to Government,
Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Paryavaran Bhavan, C.G.O.Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003.
st
...Respondents/Applicant & 1 respondent in O.A.
[By Advocates : Mr.P.V.Mohanan for R1
Mr.M.N.Manmadan, ACGSC for R2]
R.A.No.11/2026
1. The State of Kerala represented by Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001.
2. The Principal Accountant General (A&E),
Office of the Accountant General,
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State of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001
...Review Applicants/Respondents 3 &4 in O.A.
(By Advocates : Mr.M.M.Salim, Sr. GP]
Versus
1. A. Renjan IFS, Former Deputy Conservator of Forests
Aranya Bhavan Forest Complex, S.H Mount P.O, Kottayam - 656 006.
Now residing at Neeranjanam, SRRA 74 BTC Road, Maradu 682 304.
2. D.Rathish IFS, Former Deputy Conservator of Forests, Research South,
Rajiv Gandhi Forest Complex PTP Nagar,
Vattiyoorkavu PO, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 013, Now residing at
Habitat, GRA-C-263/1, Kuruvikadu, Vattiyoorkavu P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695013.
3. Union of India, represented by the Secretary to Government,
Ministry of Environment and Forest, Paryavaran Bhavan,
C.G.O.Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003.
4. Union of India represented by the Secretary to Government,
Department of Personnel and Training.
st nd
- Respondents/Applicants and 1 & 2
Respondents in the O.A.
[By Advocates : Mr.P.K.Manoj Kumar for R1 and R2
Mr.Sinu.G.Nath, SPC for R3 and R4]

R.A.No.13/2026
1. The State of Kerala represented by Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram – 695001.
2. The Accountant General (A&E), Office of the Accountant General,
State of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001
...Review Applicants/Respondents 2 &3 in O.A.
(By Advocate : Mr.M.M.Sallim, Sr.GP]
Versus
1. S. Unnikrishnan, Aged 64, S/o M.P. Sankaran Nair,
Divisional Forest Officer, Kothamangalam, Maradathu Lakshmi Nivas,
Konnakkal Post, Valakam – 682 316, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District.
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2. Union of India represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment &
Forest, Pariyavaran Bhavan, C.G.O. Complex,
Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 001.
st
- Respondents/Applicant and 1 Respondent in the O.A.

(By Advocates : Mr. P.V. Mohanan for R1
Mr.V.N.Mohanadasan, ACGSC for R2]
R.A.No.39/2026
S. Unnikrishnan, Aged 64, S/o M.P. Sankaran Nair,
Divisional Forest Officer, Kothamangalam, Maradathu Lakshmi Nivas,
Konnakkal Post, Valakam – 682 316, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District.
...Review Applicant/Applicant in OA
(By Advocate : Mr.P.V. Mohanan)

v e r s u s
1. Union of India represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment &
Forest, Pariyavaran Bhavan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,
New Delhi – 110 001.
2. The State of Kerala represented by Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 001.
3. The Accountant General (A&E), Office of the Accountant General,
State of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 001.
- Respondents/Respondents 1 to 3 in the O.A.

[By Advocates : Mr.V.N.Mohanadasan, ACGSC for R1
Mr.M.M.Salim, Sr. GP for R2&3]
The application having been heard on 05.10.2026, the Tribunal on
09.10.2026 delivered the following:
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5
O R D E R
Justice K.Haripal, Judicial Member
Applicants in R.A.27/2025 are the Original Applicants in O.A.187/2021.
Applicants in R.A.10/2026 and R.A.13/2026 are the respondents 2 and 3 in the
respective Original Applications. Applicants in R.A.11/2026 are the
respondents 3 and 4 in O.A.187/2021. Applicant in R.A.39/2026 is the
Original Applicant in O.A.16/2019.
2. By order dated 25.09.2025, this Tribunal had passed a common
order disposing the Original Applications issuing directions for regulating the
pay of the Original Applicants in the Junior Administrative Grade scale,
granting them pay protection.
3. The applicants in O.A.187/2021 submit that they were largely
peeved by the delay in convening the selection committee meeting and the
hostile discrimination meted out to them. Relying on the decision reported in
Union of India and others v. Vipinchandra Hiralal Shah [AIR 1996 SC 1259] the
learned counsel has submitted that the positive directions and the time line in
the Regulation were not followed in their case. The delay aspect has not been
met by the respondents in the reply. Similarly, citing the instance of
Sri.A.R.Ajayakumar who was appointed in IAS cadre by promotion they were
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very much aggrieved by the discrimination meted out to them. According to
the learned counsel, even though elevation of the applicants was due in 2013
and 2014, proposal was sent only on 31.12.2015, for which no justification has
been offered. The grievances of the applicants were not considered by the
Tribunal. According to the learned counsel, now they are suffering substantial
loss in monthly pension. Grant of JAG was not an issue for them.
4. The learned Senior Government Pleader has filed objection to the
R.A.s and brought our attention to R.A.Nos.10,11 and 13 of 2026 filed by the
State and the Accountant General against the order.
5. The grievance of the State and AG is that as per the provisions of
the Rules, Regulation governing IFS Officers, the applicants had not completed
nine years from the year of allotment, hence they are not entitled to get the
benefit of Junior Administrative Grade. They had completed only six years
service from the year of of allotment. Therefore, the Original Applicants are
entitled to get only Senior Time Scale.
6. According to the applicant in RA 39/2026, he has been granted
year of allotment wrongly, that the benefit accrued by him in the State Pay
Revision in 2014 was ignored while officers inducted prior to 2016 were given
the benefit of the pay revision. He has also highlighted the case of
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Sri.A.R.Ajayakumar.
7. We have heard Sri.Manoj Kumar, learned counsel for the
applicants in R.A.27/2025 and Sri.M.M.Salim, learned Senior Government
Pleader for R.A.Nos.10, 11 and 13 of 2026. We also heard Sri.Sinu G Nath,
learned Senior Panel Counsel and Sri.P.V.Mohanan, learned counsel for the
applicant in R.A.39/2026.
8. After hearing learned counsel on both sides, we are convinced
that certain vital aspects urged by the parties have omitted ourattention
inadvertently. 'Actus curiae neminem gravabit' is a well known Maxim in our
jurisprudence meaning 'an act of the Court shall prejudice no man'. The
mistake or omission on the part of the Court or Tribunal should not cause
prejudice to the litigating parties. These are sufficient reasons to review the
order under challenge.
9. The applicants in O.A.187/2021 and the applicant in O.A.16/2019
as well as the State and Accountant General, who are the common
respondents, have filed Review Applications. The learned counsel for the
applicants in O.A.Nos.14 and 16 of 2019 have supported the arguments of the
learned counsel for the applicants in O.A.187/2021 and O.A.16/2019. In the
circumstances, we review and recall the order dated 25.09.2025.
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These Original Applications will be posted for further hearing on
04.11.2026.
th
(Dated, this the 9 October, 2026)
V.RAMA MATHEW JUSTICE K.HARIPAL
ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER
ds
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List of Annexures

R.A.No.27/2025
Annexure RA1: True copy of the order in O.A.No. 187/2021 of this Hon'ble
Tribunal dated 25.9.25
Annexure RA2: True copy of the pay fixation order dated 15.04.200l issued
st
by 1 respondent in the case of AR Ajaykumar who was
appointed to IAS on 20.02.2017 from the 36 select list of
the year 2015
Annexure R3(a) : Copy of the DoPT letter No.20016/2/2011-AIS-II dated
15.04.2021
R.A.No.10/2026
Annexure RA-1: Copy of letter No.20015/2/2015-AIS-II dated 28.02.2019 of
Department of Personnel & Training, Gol
Annexure RA-2: Copy of Order in O.A.No.272/2020 dated 27.11.2021 of
Hon'ble CAT, Ernakulam
Annexure RA-3: Copy of G.O.(Rt) No.3270/2022/GAD dated 29.07.2022 of
GA AIS (B) Department, Govt. of Kerala.
Annexure RA-4: Copy of judgment in O.A.No. 14/2019 dated 25.09.2025 of
Hon'ble CAT, EKM Bench
Annexure RA-5: Copy of Letter No. 20015/2/2015-AIS-II dated 06.03.2019
of Department of Personnel & Training, Gol
R.A.No.11/2026
Annexure RA-1: Copy of judgment in O.A.No. 187/2021 dated 25.09.2025 of
Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench.
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R.A.No.13/2026
Annexure RA-1: Copy of letter No.20015/2/2015-AIS-11 dated 28.02.2019
of Department of Personnel & Training, Gol
Annexure RA-2: Copy of Order in O.A.No.238/2019 dated 09.11.2021 of
Hon'ble CAT, Ernakulam.
Annexure RA-3: Copy of G.O.(Rt) No.2526/2022/GAD dated 18.06.2022 of
GA AIS (C) Department, Govt. of Kerala.
Annexure RA-4 : Copy of common judgment in Ο.Α.Νο. 14/2019, 16/2019
and 187/2021 dated 25.09.2025 of Hon'ble CAT, EKM
Bench.
Annexure RA-5: Copy of Letter No. 20015/2/2015-AIS-II dated 06.03.2019
of Department of Personnel & Training, Gol
Annexure R1A: True copy of the Notification No 14021/3/2008-AIS-II dated
27.09.2008
Annexure R1B: True copy of the pay slip of Santhosh. K. Jhon dated
24.09.2019 from 01.01.2-16 onwards
R.A.No.39/2026
Annexure RA1: True copy of the order in O.A No.16/2019
dated 25-9-2025

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