Plea on separate dress code: HC seeks response of CAT

The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and its Chairman on a plea seeking a separate dress code for all the members of the Tribunal.
The plea, which was listed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath, also sought quashing of the orders of December 18, 1991 and July 1, 2015 passed by the then Chairman of the Tribunal prescribing current dress code of CAT members.
The petition, filed by advocate D S Chaudhary, claimed that CAT members wear the dress specified for the judges of the Supreme Court, the High Court and designated senior advocates.

"Because the members of the Tribunal, including Chairman and Vice-Chairman, are neither judges of the Supreme Court nor of the High Court nor designated senior advocates nor equivalent to them, they cannot wear this dress," it said.
The plea alleged that members of the Tribunal were retired administrative officers and "even a degree in law is not a requisite qualification for them."
"Because the feelings of the lawyers is hurt by looking at the presiding officers of the Tribunal wearing the dress of the judges of the Supreme Court and High Court," the plea claimed and sought that a separate dress be specified for them.