The Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order that had quashed the appointment of Jaiteerth R Joshi as Director General of BrahMos. The court’s order brings temporary relief to Joshi, who had assumed office on December 1, 2024.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin passed the interim order while hearing separate petitions filed by Joshi and the Union Government, both challenging the CAT’s December 29, 2025 ruling.
Joshi was appointed as DG, BrahMos, and CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace, on November 25, 2024. However, his appointment was challenged before the CAT by Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu, a Distinguished Scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Naidu contended that the selection process was a mere formality and that his own superior credentials had been ignored in a predetermined move to appoint Joshi. He highlighted his receipt of three Prime Minister’s Awards and the Tri-Services Commendation Medal from the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee—awarded for outstanding support to strategic missile systems. He argued that these credentials, directly relevant to DRDO’s work, were not given due weightage compared to general fellowships claimed by Joshi.
The CAT had accepted Naidu’s plea, quashed Joshi’s appointment, and directed the government to reconsider Naidu’s claim for the top post.
In his plea before the High Court, Joshi asserted that his selection followed due process and that there were no procedural violations in his appointment. He argued that Naidu did not raise any formal objections to the selection process but only claimed that the public advertisement was an “empty formality.”
Joshi further contended that the CAT exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing a positive direction to consider other candidates, including Naidu, which he argued was beyond its legal authority. He maintained that he met all eligibility requirements and had undergone a fair and transparent selection process.
His counsel emphasized that suitability—not seniority—was the correct basis for selection. Out of three eligible candidates considered by the high-powered selection committee, Joshi was chosen. They argued that such committee decisions are not subject to judicial review unless tainted by illegality or mala fides.
After hearing preliminary arguments, the High Court granted an interim stay on the CAT’s order. The matter has been posted for further hearing after four weeks.
