The Union Government has challenged a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order setting aside a penalty imposed on senior IPS officer Abhilasha Bisht (IPS:1994:TG) for overstaying at UNICEF during deputation without formal approval. The Telangana High Court heard Centre’s petition on Friday.
A division bench of Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice Yara Renuka is hearing the matter.
The genesis of the dispute lies in Bisht proceeding on deputation to UNICEF in New Delhi as a special officer for two years in 2010. But she continued working there until 2015, allegedly without approval for an extension of her deputation.
The Centre has contended that her continued stay at UNICEF was unauthorised and violated the applicable service rules.
During the hearing, the court was told that the IPS officer had applied for an extension of deputation in March 2012.
Bisht contended that she had also sent an email addressed to the Home Ministry, but her request was not forwarded by the DGP to the state govt and the ministry for formal consideration.
Instead, a charge memorandum was issued to her in 2018 and following a departmental inquiry and consultation with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a penalty of reduction to a lower stage for two years was imposed on her.
Bisht then moved the CAT challenging the penalty, which set it aside in its order on April 29, 2026.
The Centre subsequently challenged it in the High Court, seeking to quash the tribunal’s order, contending that it was illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the service records and applicable service conditions.
The bench adjourned the matter to November 23.
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