Deputy Director in the Department of Women Welfare and Child Development, Ms. Sujata, an IAS officer in the Uttarakhand government, was finally promoted to the post of Joint Director after a prolonged delay of four years, but only following the intervention of the Uttarakhand High Court.
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The court had earlier directed the Women Welfare and Child Development Department to promote Ms. Sujata on September 5, 2024. However, the department failed to act on the order, prompting the court to issue a contempt notice and sharply reprimand the authorities for non-compliance.
The High Court took a stern view, stating, “It has been almost six months. Prima facie the disobedience appears to be contempt of the direction issued by this court.” The court questioned the departmental secretary for disobeying its order and demanded an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
Ms. Sujata had filed a petition accusing the government of deliberately delaying her promotion. With her retirement imminent, her counsel urged the court to intervene urgently. In response, the court ordered that the state implement the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC)’s recommendation by April 28.
The counsel for the department informed the court that the DPC had met on October 16, 2024, and had approved the promotion. Subsequently, on April 24, 2025, the court disposed of the writ petition, instructing the state to act immediately. The government complied with the order just one day before Ms. Sujata’s retirement, with Additional Secretary Mr. Prashant Arya issuing the formal promotion order.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mr. G. Narendra and Justice Mr. Alok Mehra closed the case after the department fulfilled the court’s directive.
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