In a significant development that may have far-reaching consequences, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the Union Government to induct a retired Haryana Police Service officer, Raj Kumar Walia, into the IPS. The CAT has ruled that he cannot be denied promotion merely because he retired before the appointment notification was issued.
Not only this, even the period of interlude between his retirement from state service and his induction into the IPS is to be treated as continuous service, subject to vigilance clearance and other formalities.
The tribunal issued this order on October 29.
Despite being placed at the second position in the 2022 IPS select list, Walia was denied a place in the appointment notification on the ground that he had retired from the service.
The tribunal’s bench, comprising judicial member Suresh Kumar Batra and administrative member Rashmi Saxena Sahni, noted that Walia had been assessed by the selection committee about fout months after his retirement on April 28, this year to prepare year-wise select lists for 2020 to 2025, and the list was approved by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on May 14. Yet, he was denied induction into the IPS.
Walia retired on January 31, 2026, at the age of 58 from the post of Additional SP.
The Centre, however, opposed his plea but its objections were rejected by the tribunal, saying the issues had already been settled in an earlier order dated October 15, 2025, in a similar matter. The CAT also referred to two subsequent cases in which retired officers were granted IPS appointments in a similar situation.
The tribunal then directed the Centre to issue his induction order, with notional appointment from the due date corresponding to the 2022 select list.
As per CAT’s directions, Walia will serve until the prescribed superannuation age for IPS officers.
The tribunal directed the authorities to complete the exercise within four weeks of receiving a certified copy of the order.
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