Direction to decide pending administrative representations through reasoned and speaking orders within a prescribed period.

The applicant, a candidate for the post of Constable (Driver) in the Delhi Police (2022), filed an Original Application (O.A.) under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

The applicant had submitted a representation dated 22.12.2025 to the respondents, following a judgment in a related matter (O.A. 3204/2024), which remained pending.

Although the Registry raised an objection that the O.A. was premature, the applicant limited his prayer to seeking a direction for the disposal of the said representation.

1. Whether the Tribunal should direct the respondents to dispose of the applicant’s pending representation dated 22.12.2025 within a specified timeframe.

The Tribunal exercised its jurisdiction under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

Authorities are duty-bound to consider and decide representations through "reasoned and speaking orders" strictly in accordance with the law.

The Tribunal noted the Registry's objection regarding the application being premature but chose to assign a regular number to the O.A. given the "limited prayer" for the disposal of the pending representation.

Without adjudicating on the merits of the applicant's underlying claims, the Tribunal found it appropriate to direct the respondents to perform their administrative duty.

The court reasoned that a time-bound direction to pass a reasoned and speaking order would serve the interest of justice and administrative efficiency at the admission stage.

It directed the respondents to consider and decide the applicant’s representation by passing a reasoned and speaking order within thirty (30) days of receiving the certified copy of the order.

The Tribunal ordered that if the decision is favorable to the applicant, consequential reliefs must follow within forty-five (45) days thereafter.

No costs were awarded.