SC to Hear Tripura Promotion Policy Contempt Matter on December 11, Petitioners Seek Stay on 2025 Notification

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, December 10, 2025

The Supreme Court of India has listed for hearing a crucial contempt-related application concerning Tripura’s Promotion Policy, 2021 on December 11. The matter came up before the Bench of the Chief Justice, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi in the Chief Justice’s Court at 10:30 AM, as per the daily cause list dated December 11, 2025.

The connected cases, including Civil Appeal No. 4562–4564 of 2017, the State of Tripura & Others vs Jayanta Chakraborty & Others, were also scheduled under the miscellaneous hearing category.

The Petitioner, General Officer & Employees Welfare Society has filed an application for directions in the pending contempt petition (Contempt Petition (Civil) No. 13 of 2017), alleging deliberate and willful disobedience of the Supreme Court’s orders dated 27 July 2015, 15 April 2019, and 31 January 2023.

The petition contends that despite repeated directions to maintain status quo in promotion matters, the Government of Tripura proceeded with promotions based on the Promotion Policy, 2021, which the petitioners argue violates: The Full Bench judgment of the Tripura High Court (WPC 189/2011), Constitutional norms relating to reservation in promotions, and Directions previously issued by the Supreme Court.

A key contention arises from the Notification issued by the Government of Tripura on 01 December 2025, which states that: All promotions under the 2021 Policy shall be treated as regular promotions from the date of ad-hoc promotion, Pensionary and other service benefits shall also apply accordingly and All these benefits remain subject to the outcome of SLP(C) Nos. 19765–19767 of 2015.

The petitioners argue that this move is in direct contempt of the Supreme Court’s earlier orders, claiming it disproportionately benefits SC/ST candidates while leaving general merit candidates without fair promotional opportunities.

The application highlights that departments in Tripura allegedly created supernumerary posts exclusively for SC/ST candidates, which the petitioners say contradicts: The High Court’s reading down of Rule 9(2) of the 1991 Reservation Rules, and Supreme Court’s directions requiring proportionality and quantifiable data as per Nagaraj principles.

The petition cites adverse observations from the Tripura High Court in WA No. 127 of 2024, which questioned whether such ad-hoc promotions were legally sustainable.

In the Prayer section, the applicants urge the Supreme Court to:

a) Direct the State of Tripura to fully comply with previous Supreme Court orders and refrain from actions violating them.

b) Stay the 01 December 2025 Notification, citing it as contrary to the Court’s earlier directions.

c) Cancel all supernumerary promotions granted solely to SC/ST candidates under Promotion Policy 2021, or alternatively, grant similar proportionate benefits to general category employees.

d) Issue any further orders deemed appropriate by the Court.

The application, filed on 06 December 2025 by Advocate Dr. (Mrs.) Vipin Gupta, underscores the urgency of remedying what the petitioners describe as ongoing injustice and violation of the rule of law.

more news...