J&K official threatened litigants, court warns him

A tribunal in Srinagar has criticized an official from Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly threatening employees involved in a legal case. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ordered an inquiry into Additional Resident Commissioner Anil Sharma for his actions, which they believe interfere with justice. The case began on February 17 when employees from the general administration department filed a petition against an order requiring them to take a type test. The tribunal paused this order, allowing the employees to raise objections. However, on February 21, the ARC issued a show-cause notice to the employees, demanding explanations within two days. The notice warned that failure to respond could lead to police involvement. The tribunal noted that after the notice, some applicants faced transfers and were ordered to vacate housing provided to them. The tribunal stated that Sharma’s communication with the high court appeared to threaten the court's authority. They emphasized that no one is above the law and that courts are responsible for ensuring justice is served. Additionally, the tribunal requested Sharma to provide CCTV footage linked to the case. They are taking these actions to address what they see as potential contempt of court. The tribunal also instructed Sharma to stop any harassment of the employees during this process.