Ranchi, Feb. 23: Central Administrative Tribunal today refused to grant any stay, as prayed, on a letter issued by the department of personnel seeking details of charges against former chief secretary and senior IAS officer, P.P. Sharma.

The former CS had approached CAT to quash the proceedings that the letter hinted at initiating and alleged that the deputy secretary in the department of personnel had no authority or jurisdiction to frame charges or seek details.

But arguing on behalf of the state government, J.P. Gupta asserted that the letter was merely part of an inter-departmental correspondence and did not constitute any move against the officer concerned. Gupta pointed out that there were allegations that Sharma, as the industries secretary in 2002, had favoured an industrial unit. The inquiry did not make any headway during the tenure of the officer as CS.

But the relevant letter was issued after the chief minister sought details of the case, the advocate said, pleading that an intervention by the court at this stage was unwarranted.

The tribunal observed that the allegations are “presently in the realms of apprehension” because the government counsel has assured that no decision has been taken on initiating any departmental proceedings against the officer.

CAT, however, directed the central and state governments to file replies to Sharma’s application by March 21.