A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued notice on the Union government’s challenge and ordered that her reinstatement remain stayed. The case is listed for hearing on October 13, 2026.
Dhugga had been compulsorily retired on August 7, 2023, under Rule 16(3) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, after a review of her service record. The review cited, among other matters, an alleged unauthorised foreign trip and the contentious 2022 episode in which she entered Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium after hours with her dog.
She challenged the compulsory retirement before the Central Administrative Tribunal, which set aside the Centre’s decision in August 2025 and ordered her reinstatement. The Government of India then appealed to the Delhi High Court, but a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed the Centre’s petition on April 15, 2026, upholding the tribunal’s order.
The Supreme Court’s stay does not address the merits of the compulsory retirement. It only pauses the Delhi High Court’s reinstatement direction while the Centre’s appeal is heard.
