CAT slaps ₹20,000 cost on CBIC Chairman for non-compliance/non-appearance despite tribunal order

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) imposed a cost of ₹20,000 on the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) for failing to comply with the tribunal’s earlier direction and not appearing before it despite service of notice. The order underscores that even senior government functionaries cannot ignore tribunal mandates and that accountability extends beyond agency-level responsibilities to ensure timely adjudication and compliance with procedural norms. The ruling may encourage stricter enforcement of attendance and compliance in public service tribunals, signalling to departments that non-appearance could lead to personal costs and reputational consequences.