The Supreme Court declared Pradeep Atri’s deputation illegal and quashed his Haryana PWD absorption in its August 18, 2026 judgment
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has declared Pradeep Atri’s deputation to Haryana’s Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) illegal and quashed his subsequent absorption into the department. The August 18 judgment also directed his repatriation to the Development and Panchayat Department, his parent department.
The ruling came in Hemant Kumar & Others v. State of Haryana (2026 INSC 878). A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan examined the deputation and absorption of four officers into Haryana PWD as Assistant Engineers (Civil)/Sub-Divisional Engineers.
The Court found that the deputation of Atri and Praveen Chaudhary was illegal. It treated the deputation of the other two officers, Pankaj Gaur and Arun Bhatia, as irregular. However, it declared the absorption of all four officers in the PWD (Buildings and Roads) Department illegal, non est and void.
The Court set aside the absorption orders and directed the four officers to return to the Development and Panchayat Department. It also directed the competent authority to determine their cadre and seniority in the parent department.
The judgment examined the service rules governing recruitment, deputation and absorption. It held that the applicable recruitment framework did not permit the officers to secure permanent absorption through the route followed in these cases.
The Court also rejected the argument that their long period of service could justify their continued absorption. It emphasised that an appointment made in violation of statutory rules could not become valid simply because the officers had served for several years.
The judgment has also brought attention to Atri’s reported association with the National Highways Authority of India. A press release dated November 10 claims that his name remains listed in NHAI’s online officer directory under the Gandhinagar Regional Office.
However, the Supreme Court’s directions specifically concern the officers’ deputation and absorption in Haryana PWD. The judgment does not establish the status of Atri’s separate association with NHAI.
This has led to calls for NHAI and the Haryana government to clarify whether they have reviewed the officer’s service records and implemented the court’s directions. The current designation and legal basis of Atri’s reported NHAI posting also require official confirmation.
The issue has renewed attention on the need for public authorities to follow recruitment rules, maintain transparent service records and communicate administrative action after judicial decisions.
