Delhi HC Issues Notice On Former NCLT Legal Research Associate's Plea To Quash Performance Appraisal Report

The Delhi High Court has issued notice on a petition seeking the quashing of an appraisal report issued by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to a former Legal Research Associate.

The petitioner has claimed that he also requires an experience certificate from the tribunal for an RBI recruitment process.

Justice Tejas Karia, sitting as a Vacation Judge, issued notice to the NCLT, the Union of India, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The court also granted relief to the petitioner, who is scheduled to appear for an RBI interview on June 25, 2026. Taking note of RBI's submission that it had no objection to his provisional participation, the court held:

"It is directed that Respondent No. 3 shall permit the Petitioner to appear and participate in the Interview scheduled on 25.06.2026 and shall not insist upon one of the original documents, i.e., Experience Certificate from Respondent No. 1, mentioning the period of service, designation and nature of the duties, which shall be provided by the Petitioner subject to outcome of this Petition."

The petitioner has challenged the appraisal report issued in relation to his tenure as a Legal Research Associate at the NCLT. He has also sought a direction to the tribunal to issue an experience certificate. In addition, he has sought a direction to RBI to disregard a communication sent by the NCLT while considering his candidature.

The issue arose after RBI called the petitioner for an interview for recruitment to Non-CSG Cadres under Panel Year 2026. The interview is scheduled for June 25, 2026.

According to the interview call letter, candidates were required to produce several documents. These included experience certificates from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the NCLT specifying the period of service, designation, and nature of duties performed.

RBI informed the court that it had no objection if the petitioner appeared provisionally in the interview. It submitted that original documents would be required if he were ultimately selected.

The matter has been listed before the roster bench on August 18, 2026.