P.Madhavan, Member J
1. This Original Application has been filed by the applicant seeking the following reliefs:
“(i) Issue an order directing respondents 3-5 to permit the applicant to appear for assessment interview for promotion to in online mode;
(ii) issue an order setting aside Annexure A5 communicaiton;
(iii) issue such other appropriate order or direction as this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem just and proper to issue in the circumstances of the
case;
(iv) to grant the costs of this application.â€
2. It is submitted that the applicant is employed as Scientist D Grade in Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL). She is pregnant and
advised not to travel. It is submitted that online assessment was permitted in the previous years, and the applicant is now denied permission to
participate online in the assessment interview. Aggrieved by the above, the applicant has approached this Tribunal.
3. When the matter came up for consideration before this Tribunal, counsel for the applicant submits that respondents are going to take an interview
on 27.04.2022 at Hyderabad in the physical mode. The applicant is not able to travel to such a long distance on the basis of the medical conditions.
The applicant has produced Annexure A4, which advised applicant not to travel. It is submitted that the respondents had issued an impugned cryptic
order at Annexure A5 stating that they will not conduct online interview this year as there is no pandemic.
4. In view of the above the applicant submits that she may be permitted to participate in the interview online mode. Counsel for the applicant made
reference to the order of Hon'ble High Court of Kerala in Mini K.T v Senior Divisional Manager, LIC, Kozhikode and Ors [2018 (1) KHC 307).
5. Adv. Ms. O.M. Shalina, SCGSC takes notice on behalf of the respondents and submits that this year there is no online mode and hence it will be
difficult for the respondents to conduct interview on online mode for a single person.
6. In view of the particular circumstances mentioned above in this O.A, I hereby direct the respondents to consider the case of the applicant
for the interview on virtual/online mode and permit her to participate in the interview going to be held on 27.04.2022 or any other
adjourned date. The result will be kept in a sealed cover and produce before this Tribunal on orders.
7. The Original Application is disposed of as above at the admission stage itself. No costs.
Issue copy of the order to learned counsel on both sides.
