AP DIG from Bihar cadre dealt a CAT blow

HYDERABAD: The desire of DIG M. Sunil Kumar Naik of the Andhra Pradesh CID to continue his services in Andhra Pradesh suffered a major legal setback on Monday. The Hyderabad bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) dismissed his application, in which he sought directions to the Union home ministry (MHA) and the Union department of personnel and training (DoPT) to ensure his continuation in Andhra Pradesh for another two years.

However, the CAT asked the MHA to consider Naik’s  plea by taking into account his hardship and compelling circumstances, which included taking care of his ailing parents. The tribunal suggested that the authorities pass appropriate orders at an early date.

Naik is a 2005 batch IPS officer and his parent cadre state is Bihar. He joined AP service on inter-state deputation on January 7, 2020. His three-year deputation ended on January 6 this year. Naik had made a representation before the MHA and DoPT last year seeking extension of deputation by two years on humanitarian considerations. His father is a paralytic while his mother is suffering from cancer.

However, the Union government rejected his application on the ground that his inter-state deputation period had ended and he was relieved from Andhra Pradesh. Naik secured interim stay orders from CAT, whereupon he could continue in Andhra Pradesh till February 17. Later, the stay orders were vacated by the tribunal itself and now the final decision has been pronounced.