Ajay Garg vs Central Bureau Of Investigation

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The applicant, an Assistant Programmer with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), challenged disciplinary proceedings initiated against him vide Charge Memorandum No. 1176/53/02/2023/RDA dated 12.08.2024. The charges alleged that during 2015-2017 he developed illegal automation software tools ('WinZip', 'Neo', and 'Reget') to bypass IRCTC's manual ticket-booking procedures, distributed the same to private persons for consideration, and received sale proceeds in Bitcoins and through Hawala, while failing to disclose his assets, in contravention of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

The applicant contended that the impugned disciplinary proceedings were based on the same set of allegations as the earlier FIR RC No. 221/2017/E0025 dated 25.12.2017, in respect of which criminal charge-sheets had already been filed before the Special Judge (PC Act), Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi, and cognizance had been taken. He also highlighted the pendency of a separate Disproportionate Assets case, in which another disciplinary charge memorandum dated 27.09.2023 had already been issued. The respondents opposed the application and sought dismissal.

The Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, heard arguments on the petition filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985. The matter had been reserved for orders on 14.07.2025 and was pronounced on 18.08.2025. The text of the judgment as extracted does not disclose the final operative direction, indicating the matter may have been disposed of or decided on merits.

Catchwords: disciplinary proceedings charge memorandum CBI employee IRCTC ticket booking software automation software Tatkal tickets double jeopardy simultaneous criminal and departmental proceedings disproportionate assets Central Civil Services Conduct Rules suspension government servant integrity Bitcoins Hawala Prevention of Corruption Act