Two inspectors, who fought year-long legal battle against own department and Chandigarh administration for promotion, succeeded

Going by the seniority of Chandigarh Police inspectors, Rattan is the senior most, followed by Virk, Kaur and Chandel.

When contacted by Chandigarh Newsline, both Virk and Chandel, however, refused to say anything about the departmental probes initiated against them. Of the three vacant posts of DSP-rank officers, two have been filled by Rattan and Kaur while one is pending.

Virk and Chandel had initially filed a petition in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in January 2017, challenging the rules for promotion. During the proceedings of their case at CAT, the duo had also objected to the DSP-rank officers coming from other cadres and occupying posts in Chandigarh Police. Their fellow inspector-rank officers, too, joined them in the petition subsequently. CAT ruled in their favour and directed the Chandigarh Administration to send back eight DSP-rank officers, who were from other cadres and holding key posts in Chandigarh Police.

When the administration did not comply with the CAT orders, both Virk and Chandel filed a contempt petition against the Chandigarh Administration in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A senior UT Police officer, refusing to be named, said, “Inspector Charanjit Virk’s case was also discussed at the DPC. His name, too, was forwarded to the UT Administrator in a sealed cover. In the case of Inspector Virk, the sealed cover procedure has been followed, due to pendency of a vigilance probe. His promotion status shall depend on the outcome of the pending probe against him.”

DIG (UT) Dr OP Mishra said, “The DPC recommended the names of eligible inspectors on the basis of merit. In connection of the sealed cover name of Charanjit Singh Virk, his name will be considered once the pending probe against him is finished.”