Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed an impugned order passed in contempt proceedings against Dr Sheikh Mohammad Imran and directed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to decide his pending service-related case within three months.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani passed the order on October 22, 2026, while disposing of a petition filed by Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, Kashmir.
The petition challenged an order dated August 4, 2026, which had dismissed two miscellaneous applications and directed the issuance and execution of non-bailable warrants against the petitioners in the contempt proceedings.
The dispute concerns Dr Imran’s service position and his claim relating to the post of Librarian at IUST, Awantipora, vis-à-vis his position at the University of Kashmir.
During the proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel submitted that the High Court had earlier directed the CAT to endeavour to dispose of the original application or, alternatively, the application seeking interim relief within two months. The direction was issued on July 4, 2026.
The court was also informed that Dr Imran had joined the University of Kashmir as an Assistant Librarian on September 22, 2026, and was discharging his duties there.
The petitioners argued that his joining at the University of Kashmir constituted a subsequent development and that any further movement could prejudice his rights.
They sought the quashing of the contempt proceedings while leaving the substantive service dispute to be decided by the Tribunal.
On the other hand, counsel for Dr Imran submitted that his joining at the University of Kashmir followed orders passed by the Tribunal on September 14, 2026.
The counsel also submitted that, following his compliance with the order, either a final decision should be taken on his right to serve at IUST or protection should be provided for his right to rejoin the university, subject to the outcome of the original application.
The Division Bench observed that the substantive controversy was already pending before the CAT, which has to determine Dr Imran’s service rights, including the issue of his lien with the University of Kashmir vis-à-vis IUST.
Noting that the original application had yet to be finally decided, the High Court observed that an expeditious decision would serve the larger interest of the candidate.
The court directed that Dr Imran may continue at the University of Kashmir, subject to the outcome of the original application.
Accordingly, the appeal was disposed of by quashing the impugned order and directing the parties to cooperate with the ongoing proceedings before the CAT.
The Tribunal has been directed to decide the original application finally within three months from October 22, 2026.
The High Court further ordered that Dr Imran’s claim to the post of Librarian at IUST shall remain protected, subject to the outcome of the Tribunal proceedings.
