Kalagatha Panidhar vs CSIR - INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

OA/828/2025

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
HYDERABAD BENCH

OA/021/828/2025

th
HYDERABAD, this the 27 day of August, 2026

HON’BLE Mr. MANISH GARG, JUDICIAL MEMBER
Kalagatha Panidhar,
S/o Kalagatha Sreedhar,
Aged about 36 Years,
304, Shanmugha Residency, Opposite to Shiva Hotel,
Narsimha Colony, Mallapur, Hyderabad – 500076.

... Applicant

(By Advocate: Mr. Malla Krishna Rao)

Vs

1. Union of India through Secretary
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Ministry of Science and Technology,
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016.
2. The Joint Secretary
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research,
“Anusandhan Bhawan”, Rafi Marg
New Delhi – 110 001.
3. The Director General,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research,
“Anusandhan Bhawan”, Rafi Marg
New Delhi – 110 001.
4. The Director,
CSIR - IICT
Uppal Road, Habsiguda
Hyderabad – 500007.
… Respondents

(By Advocate: Mr. M. Srikanth, SC for CSIR)
---

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DN: C=IN, O=Central Administrative Tribunal, OU=Central Administrative Tribunal Hyderabad Bench, PostalCode=500004, L=Hyderabad, S=Telangana, STREET="No. 05-10-193, 1st Floor, HACA Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad", Phone=12d84631fad4985ed436f8e9bed43bf11c66dc25e028e9218a4d1d0fb79d7fe3, SERIALNUMBER=b9e3d3951b505950304a85c817eadedfffbcf53466121ac580715b2596ee45c4, [email protected], CN=
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Location: Date: 2026.09.03 11:22:33-08'00'
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU

OA/828/2025

ORAL ORDER
(As per Hon’ble Mr. Manish Garg, Judicial Member)

Learned counsel for the applicant has drawn attention of this
Tribunal to the order passed on the last date of hearing. Despite the said
order, there is no compliance.
2. Be that as it may, the matter can be disposed of in the light of the
prayer so made. The interim and the main relief sought in the present
matter are as under:
“ 8. Main Relief:

1. It is therefore prayed that this Hon’ble Tribunal may be pleased to
call
the records of the impugned order O.M. No.3-4/75/24-E-1 dated
29.08.2024 passed by the 2nd Respondent and quash the same as it is
arbitrary, malafide, discriminatory, illegal and violation of article 14
and 16 of the Constitution.
2. It is prayed to issue an order or an appropriate direction to the
Respondents to post the Applicant as ASO ( S&P) in any organisation
at Hyderabad as per his preference for stations of postings.
3. Consequently, to issue an order or an appropriate direction for
sanction of seniority as applicable.
4. Consequently, to issue an order or an appropriate direction for
sanction of wages as applicable and
5. Pass any further order or order or direction , which this Hon’ble
Tribunal may deem fit, just equitable in the facts and circumstances of
the case.

9. Interim Relief:

The Hon’ble Tribunal may please issue an interim order or direction
restraining the Respondents to fill one of existing vacancies for the post
of ASO (S & P) at CSIR – CCMB or ASO (S & P) at CSIR – NGRI in
order to prevent irreparable damages to the Applicant.”

3. The brief facts of the case, according to the applicant are that he
joined CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad on 19.07.2016 as Junior Secretariat
Assistant and was subsequently promoted as Senior Secretariat Assistant
with effect from 01.01.2020. He was also appointed as Assistant Section
Page 2 of 5

DN: C=IN, O=Central Administrative Tribunal, OU=Central Administrative Tribunal Hyderabad Bench, PostalCode=500004, L=Hyderabad, S=Telangana, STREET="No. 05-10-193, 1st Floor, HACA Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad", Phone=12d84631fad4985ed436f8e9bed43bf11c66dc25e028e9218a4d1d0fb79d7fe3, SERIALNUMBER=b9e3d3951b505950304a85c817eadedfffbcf53466121ac580715b2596ee45c4, [email protected], CN=
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Location: Date: 2026.09.03 11:22:33-08'00'
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU

OA/828/2025

Officer on ad-hoc basis. He belongs to the Scheduled Caste community.
Pursuant to the Notification dated 22.12.2023 issued by CSIR
Headquarters for filling up the posts of ASO (General/F&A/S&P) through
Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)-2024, the
applicant applied on 09.01.2024 through proper channel. In the prescribed
application form, he exercised his choice of preference for cadre and
stations of posting confined to Hyderabad laboratories, namely:
1st preference – Cadre: General / Station: CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad;
2nd preference – Cadre: S&P / Station: CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad; and
3rd preference – Cadre: F&A / Station: CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad.

4. Though selected on pure merit and shortlisted under the Unreserved
category, the applicant was promoted and posted as ASO (General) at CSIR-
NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, vide O.M. No. 3-2(b)/LDCE-2024-
E.I(RC)/5 dated 23.07.2024, contrary to his declared preference. Aggrieved, he
submitted a representation dated 24.07.2024 seeking posting in any cadre
(General/F&A/S&P) at any of the Hyderabad organisations
(IICT/CCMB/NGRI). The said representation was rejected by the impugned
O.M. No. 3-4/75/24-E-1 dated 29.08.2024 issued by the 2nd respondent, stating
that all requests for retention or change in place of posting stood disposed of
and directing the empanelled ASOs to join their notified places of posting
immediately.
5. It is the case of the applicant that while his request for change in place of
posting was declined vide the impugned order on the ground that vacancies
under DTQ were not available in the concerned Labs/Institutes, posting orders
were revised in the case of five other officers (as reflected in O.M. dated
22.08.2024 – Annexure A-8). According to the counsel for the respondents, the
Page 3 of 5

DN: C=IN, O=Central Administrative Tribunal, OU=Central Administrative Tribunal Hyderabad Bench, PostalCode=500004, L=Hyderabad, S=Telangana, STREET="No. 05-10-193, 1st Floor, HACA Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad", Phone=12d84631fad4985ed436f8e9bed43bf11c66dc25e028e9218a4d1d0fb79d7fe3, SERIALNUMBER=b9e3d3951b505950304a85c817eadedfffbcf53466121ac580715b2596ee45c4, [email protected], CN=
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Location: Date: 2026.09.03 11:22:33-08'00'
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU

OA/828/2025

revised orders were issued on medical grounds, keeping in view the problems
of the disabled employees and the DTQ vacancy position. Counsel for the
applicant has further argued that only two out of the five officers are in the
PwBD category. As per the communication dated 23.07.2024 (Annexure A-9)
notifying the final lab-wise vacancies, there were 5 vacancies at CCMB,
Hyderabad, 5 vacancies at IICT, Hyderabad, and 6 vacancies at NGRI,
Hyderabad. The applicant has therefore alleged discrimination and violation of
Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, whereas counsel for the respondents has
contended that an employee does not have a vested right in matters of posting.
6. Heard the counsels appearing on both sides and perused the material
available on record.
7. It is fairly submitted on behalf of the applicant that at the stage of
admission, no interim relief was granted. However, the Original Application
was kept pending. In the interregnum, the applicant, pursuant to a subsequent
examination/selection process, was promoted and posted to CSIR-IICT,
Hyderabad on 29.12.2025. He has joined the said posting under protest and
without prejudice to his rights and contentions in the pending Original
Application.
8. Be that as it may, since the applicant has subsequently been posted at
CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, the relief seeking a direction for posting at Hyderabad
has, at this stage, become infructuous. The applicant is, however, always at
liberty to agitate his grievances seeking anti-dating of the posting/seniority or
any other consequential relief vis-à-vis the place of posting with effect from the
initial order dated 23.07.2024 / 29.08.2024, by making a comprehensive
representation, supported by the relevant rule position and case law, to the
Page 4 of 5

DN: C=IN, O=Central Administrative Tribunal, OU=Central Administrative Tribunal Hyderabad Bench, PostalCode=500004, L=Hyderabad, S=Telangana, STREET="No. 05-10-193, 1st Floor, HACA Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad", Phone=12d84631fad4985ed436f8e9bed43bf11c66dc25e028e9218a4d1d0fb79d7fe3, SERIALNUMBER=b9e3d3951b505950304a85c817eadedfffbcf53466121ac580715b2596ee45c4, [email protected], CN=
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Location: Date: 2026.09.03 11:22:33-08'00'
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU

OA/828/2025

competent authority within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy
of this order. Upon receipt of such representation, the respondents shall
consider and dispose of the same by a reasoned and speaking order within thirty
(30) days thereafter, in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of
hearing to the applicant.
9. The aforesaid directions are issued without prejudice to the rights and
contentions of either side. The Original Application is disposed of in the above
terms. All pending Miscellaneous Applications, if any, stand disposed of.
No order as to costs.

(MANISH GARG)
JUDICIAL MEMBER

/pv/

O.A. was disposed of on : 27.08.2026
Order was dictated on : 27.08.2026
Order submitted for approval on : 31.08.2026

Page 5 of 5

DN: C=IN, O=Central Administrative Tribunal, OU=Central Administrative Tribunal Hyderabad Bench, PostalCode=500004, L=Hyderabad, S=Telangana, STREET="No. 05-10-193, 1st Floor, HACA Bhavan, Saifabad, Hyderabad", Phone=12d84631fad4985ed436f8e9bed43bf11c66dc25e028e9218a4d1d0fb79d7fe3, SERIALNUMBER=b9e3d3951b505950304a85c817eadedfffbcf53466121ac580715b2596ee45c4, [email protected], CN=
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document
Location: Date: 2026.09.03 11:22:33-08'00'
PADMAVATHI CHODAVARAPU