2024 INSC 943
1
REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 14100 OF 202 4
[ @ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) NO.18349 OF 2023 ]
NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA1 …APPELLANT
VERSUS
G ATHIPATHI AND OTHERS …RESPONDENTS
R1: G. ATHIPATHI, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER (TECHNICAL)
R2: THE CHAIRMAN
R3: THE MEMBER (ADMINSITRATION)
R4: THE CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER (HR/ADMN)
J U D G M E N T
AHSANUDDIN AMANULLAH, J.
Leave granted.
2. Heard Mr. Santosh Kumar, learned counsel for the appellant and
Mr. A. Lakshminarayanan, learned counsel for the respondent no.1.
1 To be read as ‘National Highways Authority of India’.
2
3. The present appeal arises from the Final Judgment and Order
dated 01.03.2023 (hereinafter referred to as the “Impugned Order”),
passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Madras
(hereinafter referred to as the “High Court”) in W.P. No.11060 of 2021,
whereby the appeal filed by the appellant was dismissed and the
judgment dated 30.12.2020 rendered by the Central Administrative
Tribunal, Chennai Bench (hereinafter referred to as the “CAT”) in O.A.
No.310/01633/2020 was upheld.
THE FACTUAL SETTING:
4. The respondent no.1 was initially working as an Assistant
Engineer in the service of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The appellant,
by an order dated 27.05.2008, appointed him on deputation basis...