Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103054370400.htm

New Delhi

Court notice to Centre on extension of service

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Union Law and Justice Ministry on a petition challenging grant of one-year extension in service to the Law Secretary.

Issuing the notice, Justice G. S. Sistani of the Court asked the Ministry to file a reply to the petition by December 4.

The petitioner, advocate Pradeep Shukla, through his counsel K.C. Mittal submitted that the Law Secretary was to retire on October 31 but the Centre had extended his service for another year on October 19.

The petitioner argued that the extension was unconstitutional.

He also objected to the Centre’s decision to give additional charge of the Secretary, Legislative Department, to Mr. Vishwanathan.

The additional charge was given through an order issued by the Centre on September 5 for three months till appointment of a regular officer on the post, the petitioner submitted. Seeking quashing of the two decisions of the Centre, Mr. Shukla sought a stay on them as an interim relief.

He argued that the office of the Law Secretary was a public office and Mr. Vishwanathan would be holding it without a legal authority.