Delhi High Court - Orders
Anshul Rajput vs Dedicated Freight Corridor ... on 17 February, 2026
Author: Sanjeev Narula
Bench: Sanjeev Narula
$~69
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 2236/2026 & CM APPL. 10786-10787/2026
ANSHUL RAJPUT .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Komal Mundhra, Mr. Saurabh
Agrawal, Mr. Ashutosh Singh Rana
and Ms. Laxita Upadhyay, Advocates.
versus
DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR CORPORATION OF INDIA
LIMITED AND ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. V.S.R. Krishna and Mr.
Shashank, Advocates for R-1.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA
ORDER
% 17.02.2026
1. This writ petition, inter alia, seeks a direction to the Respondents to promote the Petitioner from Grade E4 to Grade E5 along with all consequential benefits.
2. The Petitioner was appointed as Assistant Manager (Electrical), Grade E3, with Respondent No. 1 on 4th February, 2015 and was promoted to Grade E4 on 17th January, 2020. The grievance raised in the present petition pertains to denial of promotion from Grade E4 to Grade E5. It is the Petitioner's case that he is senior to certain candidates who have been selected for promotion and that he has been graded "Outstanding" in his APARs for the last four years. He, therefore, alleges arbitrariness and bias in the denial of promotion.
This is a digitally signed order.
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3. The recruitment rules governing the promotion provide that the selection is to be made on the basis of performance in professional/managerial ability (presentation), personality traits (interview), and APARs, to the following effect:
4. Thus, prima facie, seniority alone is not the determinative criterion for promotion to Grade E5. The Petitioner, however, asserts that no reasons have been furnished to him as to why his candidature was not preferred over his juniors, who have been promoted and are arrayed as Respondent Nos. 8 and 9.
5. In light of the foregoing circumstances, upon hearing counsel for the parties, this Court is of the opinion that the Petitioner must first submit a representation to the Respondents raising his grievances. The same shall be considered by the Respondents and a decision thereon, by way of a speaking order, shall be communicated to the Petitioner within four weeks from the date of submission of the representation.
6. In the event the Petitioner remains aggrieved, he shall be at liberty to avail appropriate remedies, in accordance with law.
7. The Court has not commented on the merits of the case. All rights and contentions of the parties are kept open.
8. Disposed of, along with pending applications.
SANJEEV NARULA, J FEBRUARY 17, 2026/hc This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 18/02/2026 at 20:37:36