HC directs reinstatement of CRPF inspector

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said, “Now that the review petition has been dismissed, the Director General, CRPF, cannot still oppose the implementation of the Supreme Court orders.”

“We are of the view that under Article 141 of the Constitution, CRPF is bound to implement the Supreme Court orders and cannot and should not be permitted to canvas the case on merits,” the bench said.

The Delhi High Court had struck down the rules that fixed 57 years as the retirement age for the rank of commandant and below in the three Central and Allied Police Forces (CAPFs) – CRPF, BSF and ITBP – holding it discriminatory, unconstitutional and created two classes in the three services.

The decision had come on a batch of petitions seeking the retirement age of CAPF personnel of the concerned ranks be enhanced to 60 years on a par with the officers above the rank of Commandant in the three forces. This order was challenged by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a review petition. But the Supreme Court rejected it saying, “We are satisfied that there is no error apparent on the face of the record, warranting reconsideration of the order impugned.”

Based on this, the bench directed CRPF to reinstate the petitioner, Sivadas K, as Inspector in D/2 Signal Battalion, CRPF, Avadi, with continuity of service, within a week.