CAT directs IUST Vice-Chancellor, Registrar to appear over alleged non-compliance of interim order

04/08/2026

SRINAGAR, Aug 3: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, on Monday directed the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) to appear before it on August 4 in a contempt petition, observing that the compliance report filed by the university did not satisfy the directions contained in its earlier orders.
A Bench comprising Member (Judicial) M.S. Latif and Member (Administrative) Prasant Kumar passed the direction while hearing a contempt petition arising out of an interim order passed in an original application filed by Dr. Sheikh Mohd Imran.
The Tribunal noted that it had earlier directed the personal appearance of IUST Vice-Chancellor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo and Registrar Shamim Ahmad Shah through virtual mode and had subsequently issued bailable warrants after finding non-compliance with its directions. The warrants were executed through the Senior Superintendent of Police, Awantipora, following which both officers furnished bail bonds before the matter came up for hearing.
The Bench observed that the officers were later exempted from personal appearance pursuant to an interim order passed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which had directed that their appearance remain exempted till August 3.
On Monday, counsel appearing for IUST submitted a compliance report supported by an affidavit of the Registrar. According to the compliance, the university stated that the applicant had already been relieved from service on June 1, 2026, before the Tribunal's interim order dated June 2 could be communicated to it, and therefore the order could not be implemented.
Senior Advocate Showkat Ahmad Makroo, appearing for the petitioner along with Advocates Irfaan Rasool and Rahil Noor, referred to observations made by the High Court in related proceedings and contended that the Tribunal's interim order continued to require compliance. The Tribunal also took note of submissions made during the hearing and referred to its earlier orders while examining the compliance report.
The Bench observed that its immediate concern in the contempt proceedings was to secure compliance with its own orders as well as those passed by the Division Bench of the High Court. It noted that, in its view, the compliance report did not amount to compliance of the directions sought to be enforced.
Referring to judicial precedents cited during the hearing, the Tribunal emphasised the importance of compliance with court orders and observed that adherence to judicial directions is integral to the rule of law and the effective administration of justice.
While noting the submissions of the petitioner's counsel seeking issuance of non-bailable warrants, the Tribunal decided, at this stage, to direct the personal appearance of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar on August 4 at 11 a.m. to seek compliance of its orders and those of the High Court. It clarified that the observations made in the order would have no bearing on the final adjudication of the original application.

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