Uttarakhand High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing IFS Officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi's Contempt Plea Against CAT

Justice Maithani is the third High Court judge to withdraw from a matter involving Chaturvedi. Earlier, in May 2023, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal had recused from hearing Chaturvedi's case related to his appraisal report.

In February 2024, Justice Manoj Tiwari had also recused from a case concerning Chaturvedi's central deputation.

The background of the contempt issue lies in proceedings initiated by the CAT Against Chaturvedi. On 17 October 2024, the tribunal had, on its own motion, begun contempt proceedings against Chaturvedi.

He challenged the proceedings before the High Court and the HC stayed the same until 7 October 2025. However, despite this stay, the CAT on 12 September 2025 proceeded with the contempt petition and appointed a senior advocate as amicus curiae in the case.

Following this development, Chaturvedi had approached the High Court with this present petition.

It may be note that in February this year, CAT members Harvinder Oberai and B Anand recused from a case involving Chaturvedi's appraisal report.

In April this year, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), Nainital, Neha Kushwaha recused herself from hearing a criminal defamation complaint filed by Chaturvedi against Manish Garg, a Member (Judicial) of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi.

In total 15 judges of various courts including the Supreme Court have stepped aside from hearing the cases involving Chaturvedi