228/2. IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT Karan Kataria Union of India and others CORAM: Present: NAMIT KUMAR 1. Constitution of India, aside the letter dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P extension list dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P respondent No.5, in a discriminatory manner, and also to quash the letter dated 05.02.2024 (Annexure P respondent No.4 is not competent to terminate the services of the petitioner. Further, seeking the official respondents to re petitioner as the contract of similarly situated employees i.e. respondents No.6 and 7 has already been extended by resp list dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Karan Kataria Versus Union of India and others HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR Mr. Vineet Kumar Jakhar, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Devanshu Aggarwal, Advocate, for respondent No.1 Mr. Surya Kumar, AAG, Punjab. ----- NAMIT KUMAR, J. (ORAL) The instant petition has been filed Constitution of India, seeking a writ in the nature of certiorari aside the letter dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P extension list dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P respondent No.5, in a discriminatory manner, and also to quash the letter dated 05.02.2024 (Annexure P-12), issued by respondent No.4, as respondent No.4 is not competent to terminate the services of the petitioner. Further, seeking for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the official respondents to re-employ and extend the contract of the present petitioner as the contract of similarly situated employees i.e. respondents No.6 and 7 has already been extended by resp list dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P-9). THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-8742-2024 Date of decision: 17.04.2026 .... Petitioner .... Respondents HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR Mr. Vineet Kumar Jakhar, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Devanshu Aggarwal, Advocate, for respondent No.1 Mr. Surya Kumar, AAG, Punjab. The instant petition has been filed under Article 226 of the a writ in the nature of certiorari, for setting aside the letter dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P-8) and the subsequent extension list dated 19.01.2024 (Annexure P-9), prepared and issued by respondent No.5, in a discriminatory manner, and also to quash the letter 12), issued by respondent No.4, as respondent No.4 is not competent to terminate the services of the petitioner. for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing employ and extend the contract of the present petitioner as the contract of similarly situated employees i.e. respondents No.6 and 7 has already been extended by respondent No.5, vide extension under Article 226 of the for setting 8) and the subsequent prepared and issued by respondent No.5, in a discriminatory manner, and also to quash the letter 12), issued by respondent No.4, as respondent No.4 is not competent to terminate the services of the petitioner. for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing employ and extend the contract of the present petitioner as the contract of similarly situated employees i.e. respondents ondent No.5, vide extension SANJEEV KUMAR 2026.04.18 11:49 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-8742-2024 - 2 - 2. The instant petition initially came up for hearing before this Court on 20.04.2024 and on which date, the following order was passed:- “Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the issue as involved in the present case is already a subject matter of CWP-5408-2024, in which while issuing notice of motion interim relief has been granted. Notice of motion for 18.09.2024. Ms. Ayushi Sharma, Advocate, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-Union of India and Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and pray for time to file reply. List along with the aforesaid case. Interim order in the same terms as in CWP-5408-2024.” 3. Learned State counsel has produced a copy of order dated 22.01.2026 passed by the Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka. He, on instructions from Mr. Atul Monga, Program Monitor (IT), Office of Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab, submits that in terms of said order, the petitioner is continuing in service and the period from 19.01.2024 to 20.04.2024 has been condoned and in this view of the matter, the relief claimed in the present petition has been rendered infructuous. Copy of the same is taken on record. 4. Disposed of as having been rendered infructuous. (NAMIT KUMAR) JUDGE 17.04.2026 sanjeev Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No SANJEEV KUMAR 2026.04.18 11:49 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document