A Bold Move Against the CAT
Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi has stirred legal waters once again by filing a contempt petition against the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). This legal step follows an extraordinary development where 16 judges—including members from the Supreme Court, High Courts, lower courts, and CAT itself—recused themselves from presiding over cases involving him.
Who Are the Judges Who Stepped Back?
Among those who have recused themselves are former Supreme Court judges Justices U U Lalit and Ranjan Gogoi, as well as several High Court and CAT judges. The recurring recusals point to a complex and sensitive legal history surrounding Chaturvedi’s cases, making this one of the most unusual judicial standoffs in recent Indian legal memory.
Sanjiv Chaturvedi: A Relentless Whistleblower
The Man Behind the Headlines
Sanjiv Chaturvedi, 50, is far from your average bureaucrat. Known for his unyielding anti-corruption crusade, he rose to national attention during his tenure as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at AIIMS, Delhi, where he uncovered significant irregularities. From construction contracts to drug procurements, his vigilance exposed multi-layered corruption involving senior officials and medical professionals.
Early Career and National Recognition
Chaturvedi began his administrative career in Haryana, where he quickly came into conflict with influential entities involved in illegal logging, poaching, and unauthorized land use. His uncompromising stance led to his wrongful suspension, which was later revoked through presidential intervention by Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee—reportedly as many as six times.
In 2015, he joined the Uttarakhand cadre, continuing his fight against systemic corruption. Notably, he remains the youngest civil servant in India to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize.
What Is the Current Legal Dispute?
CAT’s Action Sparks New Legal Challenge
The current contempt petition originates from suo motu proceedings initiated by CAT against Chaturvedi on October 17, 2024. However, the Uttarakhand High Court had already stayed any such proceedings until October 7, 2025. Despite the stay, the CAT went ahead with a hearing on September 12, 2025, and even appointed a senior advocate as amicus curiae.
A “Unique Record” in Legal History
Chaturvedi has now challenged CAT’s move before the High Court, calling it a violation of the stay order. He also remarked on the rare legal precedent he now holds—16 judges recusing themselves from hearing his matters, a number surpassing even high-profile cases such as that of Atiq Ahmed, where 10 judges stepped back.
