Geeta Kakati Pathak v. the State of Assam and 5 Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Appointment of Administrative Officer, amalgamated establishment of District Commissioner, Bajali, under Assam Ministerial District Establishment Service Rules 1967 challenged in twin writs W.P(C) 6583/2024 and 1338/2024; Rule 8(i)(a) eligibility — 15 years in a Deputy Commissioner's establishment with experience of different branches, especially the establishment branch — versus factual absence of any separate establishment branch per Notification DAN-27/2012/150 dated 11 May 2018; Personnel Branch (DPN/DPF) includes Establishment and Accounts sections; substantial-compliance standard applied; narrow judicial review of ACR-based selections, no interference absent violation of a specific rule or malice; relative merits beyond writ-court expertise; precedents: Sri Bhubaneswar Sarma v State of Assam 2024(5) GLT 275 (upheld in W.A 211/2024 dt 13.11.2024); Ritu Bhatia (2019) 3 SCC 422 (distinguished); Dalpat Abasahed Solunkee v Dr. B.S Mahajan (1990) 1 SCC 305 (relied on); parties: Geeta Kakati Pathak v State of Assam, Selection Board (Administrative Officer, Bajali), District Commissioner Bajali, Rupam Thakuria; advocates: P.K Roy Choudhury, A Chakrabarty, A Phukan (SC GAD), R Islam; result: writ petitions dismissed, no costs, records returned to Government Advocate.