CAT Denies Relief to Bihar IPS Officer Aditya Kumar in Fake Chief Justice Call Case, Orders Probe Within Six Months
The Patna Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has refused to quash departmental proceedings against Bihar-cadre IPS officer Aditya Kumar in a case involving allegations that a telephone call was made to former Bihar Director General of Police S.K. Singhal in the name of the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The tribunal has directed the Bihar government to complete the departmental inquiry within six months while ensuring that the officer receives a fair opportunity to defend himself.
The tribunal clarified that the inquiry should not be allowed to remain pending indefinitely, even if the officer does not cooperate with the proceedings. The order allows the departmental action to continue and places responsibility on the state authorities to conclude the matter within the prescribed period.
The bench comprised Judicial Member Justice Narendra Kumar Johri and Administrative Member Kumar Rajesh Chandra. Kumar had approached the tribunal seeking the cancellation of a departmental charge sheet issued on March 25, 2025. He had also sought consideration for promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), at par with eligible junior officers.
The latest order means that the departmental proceedings concerning the alleged phone call will continue. The allegations remain subject to the relevant legal and disciplinary processes, and the tribunal’s decision does not amount to a finding of guilt.
CAT Says Departmental Inquiry Can Continue Alongside Criminal Proceedings
In its order, the CAT observed that the pendency of criminal proceedings does not automatically prevent the state government from conducting an independent departmental inquiry into alleged misconduct. The tribunal therefore declined to cancel the charge sheet challenged by Kumar and instead directed the authorities to complete the disciplinary process within six months.
The officer had challenged the departmental charge sheet issued on March 25, 2025, seeking its quashing. He also raised concerns about the delay in issuing the charge sheet and alleged that the proceedings had been initiated with mala fide intent. In addition to challenging the disciplinary action, Kumar requested consideration for promotion to DIG, on a par with eligible junior officers.
The tribunal did not accept his request to set aside the departmental proceedings. Instead, it instructed the state government to ensure that the inquiry proceeds fairly and reaches a conclusion within the specified timeframe.
The direction also addresses the possibility of delays arising from a lack of cooperation. The CAT said the inquiry should not remain pending indefinitely, even if Kumar does not cooperate. At the same time, the authorities must provide him with a reasonable opportunity to present his defence. The order thus focuses on completing the departmental process within a defined period rather than terminating it at this stage.
Economic Offences Unit Registered Case Against Aditya Kumar in 2022
The departmental proceedings stem from a case registered against Kumar by Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) in 2022. The case concerns allegations that a telephone call was made to the then DGP, S.K. Singhal, in the name of the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
According to the allegations, the call was intended to exert pressure in connection with the matter. The case has led to legal proceedings and a separate departmental process examining the alleged misconduct.
The CAT’s latest order concerns the continuation and timely completion of the departmental inquiry. It does not determine the outcome of the criminal proceedings or establish the truth of the allegations against Kumar.
The six-month deadline places the responsibility on the Bihar government to move the disciplinary process forward while following the required procedures. The authorities must also ensure that Kumar is given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations and defend himself during the inquiry.
Separate Departmental Proceedings Over Alleged Negligence Closed
The latest CAT order is distinct from another set of departmental proceedings against Kumar that concerned alleged negligence in the discharge of his official duties. The Bihar Home Department recently closed that separate matter following developments before the tribunal.
The earlier proceedings related to Kumar’s tenure as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Gaya during 2021-22. The allegations included inadequate handling of a liquor-recovery case, insufficient supervision of subordinate police station officials and alleged failure to discharge responsibilities such as conducting periodic inspections of police stations.
Kumar had approached the CAT’s Patna Bench seeking the cancellation of the charge sheet and inquiry report in that matter. According to the report, an order issued in August directed that the inquiry report against him be treated as set aside and that his eligibility for promotion to DIG be considered.
The Bihar Home Department subsequently concluded those proceedings. The department’s police section also issued a related resolution on the previous Friday, according to the report.
The closure of the negligence-related case is significant because it concerns a separate set of allegations and disciplinary proceedings. It does not mean that all departmental action against Kumar has ended.
The inquiry concerning the alleged phone call made in the name of the Patna High Court Chief Justice remains pending. The CAT has now specifically directed the state government to complete that inquiry within six months.
Aditya Kumar Currently Posted as Commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police-14
Aditya Kumar is currently serving as Commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police-14. His present posting follows earlier assignments in the Bihar Police, including his tenure as SSP in Gaya.
The latest tribunal order leaves the departmental inquiry into the alleged phone call in progress. The state government is required to conclude the proceedings within six months and ensure that Kumar receives a reasonable opportunity to present his defence.
The order also makes clear that the inquiry should not be allowed to continue indefinitely. The authorities must balance the requirement of a fair hearing with the tribunal’s direction to bring the matter to a timely conclusion.
The outcome of the inquiry could determine the disciplinary consequences, if any, arising from the allegations. However, the available report does not specify what final action the government may take following completion of the proceedings.
Who Is IPS Officer Aditya Kumar?
Aditya Kumar was born on January 20, 1983, and is a 2011-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Bihar cadre. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, he holds a Bachelor of Technology degree and joined the IPS on December 19, 2011.
During his career, Kumar served as Assistant Inspector General (Rail) in Patna before being posted as Senior Superintendent of Police in Gaya in 2021-22. His tenure in Gaya later became the subject of separate departmental proceedings concerning alleged negligence in handling a liquor-related case and supervising subordinate police personnel.
Those negligence-related proceedings were subsequently closed by the Bihar Home Department following developments before the CAT, according to the report. The closure of that matter is separate from the departmental inquiry concerning the alleged impersonation of the Patna High Court Chief Justice in a telephone call to former DGP S.K. Singhal.
Kumar is therefore facing a continuing departmental inquiry in the latter matter, even though the separate proceedings linked to his tenure in Gaya have been concluded.
Six-Month Deadline Sets Timeline for Bihar Government
The CAT’s decision establishes a clear timeline for the Bihar government to complete the departmental proceedings against Kumar. Rather than quashing the charge sheet, the tribunal has allowed the inquiry to continue while requiring the authorities to conclude it within six months.
The direction also underlines the need to provide Kumar with a fair opportunity to defend himself. At the same time, the tribunal has indicated that a lack of cooperation by the officer should not result in the inquiry remaining unresolved indefinitely.
The case involves allegations concerning a call allegedly made in the name of the Patna High Court Chief Justice to former DGP S.K. Singhal. The criminal case registered by the Economic Offences Unit in 2022 and the departmental proceedings remain separate legal and disciplinary processes.
For now, the CAT has not granted Kumar the relief he sought against the charge sheet issued on March 25, 2025. The next significant development will be the completion of the departmental inquiry within the period directed by the tribunal.
