Jammu, May 13: The Central Administrative Tribunal has directed maintenance of status quo and restrained authorities from taking coercive action against Power Development Department Junior Engineer Vishal Bali in connection with a departmental inquiry linked to a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The said JE was nabbed by CBI team red handed while accepting the bribe amount.
The order was passed by the Bench comprising Member (A) Pragya Sahay Saksena and Member (J) Sanjeev Gupta in O.A. No. 494/2026 titled Vishal Bali versus Power Development Department.
Advocate F.S. Butt appeared for the applicant, while Deputy Advocate General Hunar Gupta represented the respondents.
The applicant had challenged the departmental inquiry initiated against him and sought relief after the Power Development Department issued a show-cause notice proposing his dismissal from service under Rule 30(viii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
During the hearing, counsel for the applicant argued that the inquiry was conducted in violation of Rule 33 of the J&K CCA Rules as copies of the memorandum, charges and statement of imputations were allegedly not properly served upon the applicant. It was further submitted that members of the trap team were not examined during the inquiry proceedings.
The counsel also informed the Tribunal that judicial proceedings are still pending in connection with FIR No. RC0042021A0009 registered by the CBI under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Reliance was also placed on an earlier High Court judgment in support of the plea.
On the other hand, the respondents’ counsel submitted that the inquiry officer had followed due procedure and that the proposed penalty of dismissal was justified.
After hearing both sides, the Tribunal allowed the applicant time to amend the original application to challenge the show-cause notice dated April 24, 2026.
The Tribunal ordered that till the next date of hearing on May 26, 2026, “status quo as on today shall be maintained” and no coercive steps shall be taken against the applicant pursuant to the show-cause notice.
