After a delay of nearly four years, IAS officer Sujata has been promoted to the position of Joint Director in the Department of Women Welfare and Child Development, following strong intervention by the Uttarakhand High Court.
Ms. Sujata, who had been serving as Deputy Director, had faced a prolonged wait despite a High Court directive issued on September 5, 2024, instructing the department to implement her promotion. When the order was not followed, the court issued a contempt notice, criticizing the department’s inaction and calling it a clear case of non-compliance.
Expressing its dissatisfaction, the court remarked, “It has been almost six months. Prima facie the disobedience appears to be contempt of the direction issued by this court.” It also summoned the department secretary to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for failure to comply with the court’s instructions.
In her petition, Ms. Sujata alleged that the government had intentionally delayed her promotion. With her retirement approaching, her counsel pressed the court to act promptly. Responding to the urgency, the court directed the state government to enforce the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC)’s recommendation by April 28, 2025.
According to the department’s counsel, the DPC had convened on October 16, 2024, and had approved her promotion. Acting on the court’s final directive issued on April 24, the state government issued her promotion order on April 27, just a day before her scheduled retirement. The order was signed by Additional Secretary Prashant Arya.
A division bench led by Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Alok Mehra closed the case after confirming the department’s compliance with the court’s directive.
