Chhattisgarh HC Examines Plea Alleging Decade-Long Delay In Implementing Its Own 2016 Transfer Order

Chhatisgarh: A writ petition filed against the High Court of Chhattisgarh itself, alleging that a 2016 order transferring a service dispute to the Central Administrative Tribunal went unimplemented for nearly ten years, has been taken up for hearing, with the Court directing the petitioner to produce a copy of the original writ petition and the respondents to file their reply.

Background

The dispute traces back to a writ petition filed by Bahur Singh Sahu against the Steel Authority of India Limited and its Bhilai Steel Plant, seeking to quash an order dated 15.01.2009 and claiming compensation equivalent to ten years of his father’s service with the company.

The 2016 Transfer Order

While that petition, registered as WPS No. 7523 of 2009, was pending, the Central Government, exercising its power under Section 14(2) of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, issued a notification on 31.03.2010 bringing the Steel Authority of India Limited within the jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal. On account of this notification, Justice P. Sam Koshy held on 10.05.2016 that “the present matter is not tenable before this High Court,” and ordered it transferred to the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur, directing the Registry to effect the transfer forthwith. No costs were awarded.

Alleged Delay in Compliance

According to the petition, the transfer order remained unimplemented by the Registry for nearly a decade and was allegedly acted upon only towards the end of 2025. Compliance is stated to have been reflected through a communication dated 10.02.2026.

The Present Petition

Aggrieved by the delay, Bahur Singh Sahu has now filed a fresh writ petition, WPC No. 2960 of 2026, arraying the High Court of Chhattisgarh itself as the respondent. The matter came up before Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad on 22.06.2026, with Mr. Aditya Solapurkar appearing for the petitioner and Mr. Bhaskar Payasi for the respondents. The Court directed the petitioner’s counsel to file a copy of the original writ petition, WPS No. 7523 of 2009, within two weeks, noting that it “was disposed of on 10.5.2016,” and directed the respondents to file their reply. The matter was directed to be listed after six weeks.

Reliefs Sought

The petition seeks an inquiry into the circumstances behind the delay, fixing responsibility on the officials concerned, compensation for the alleged violation of constitutional rights, and production of the relevant administrative records concerning the implementation of the 2016 order.

Questions Raised in the Petition

The petition raises questions as to whether a judicial order can remain unimplemented for nearly a decade owing to administrative inaction, what remedies are available to a litigant deprived of timely access to the appropriate forum as a result, and what standard of accountability should apply to authorities responsible for executing court orders.

Current Status:

At this stage, the High Court has directed the petitioner’s counsel to file a copy of the original writ petition and called upon the respondents to file their reply. The matter stands listed for further hearing after six weeks.

Case Title: Bahur Singh Sahu v. High Court of Chhattisgarh [WPC No. 2960 of 2026]