Full Judgment Text
REPORTABLE
2026 INSC 128
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. 25652 OF 2026
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1425 OF 2025
AMIT KUMAR & ORS. …APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. …RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
1. Heard Ms. Aparna Bhat, the learned Amicus Curiae and Mr. K.M.
Nataraj, the learned Additional Solicitor General for the Union of India.
2. By this application the following has been prayed for:-
“a) Direct the appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief
Statistician of India, as Technical Consultant to the
National Task Force for comprehensive and scientific
analysis of the survey data;
b) Direct the Ministry of Education, Union of India, to
extend all necessary administrative support, infrastructure,
data access, and to provide appropriate remuneration
/honorarium to Dr. Anant, as per prevalent norms or as
may be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.”
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
VISHAL ANAND
Date: 2026.02.06
14:49:46 IST
Reason:
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3. We direct that :-
(i) Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief Statistician of India be
appointed as Technical Consultant to the National Task
Force for the purpose of comprehensive and scientific
analysis of the survey data.
(ii) The Ministry of Education, Union of India shall pass
an order of appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant at the
earliest.
(iii) We also direct the Ministry of Education, Union of
India to extend all necessary administrative support,
more particularly the infrastructure & data access and to
provide appropriate remuneration/honorarium to
Dr. Anant in accordance with prevalent norms.
4. With the aforesaid directions, this interlocutory application
stands disposed of accordingly.
……………………………………J.
(J.B. PARDIWALA)
……………………………………J
(R. MAHADEVAN)
NEW DELHI ;
FEBRUARY 6, 2026
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