Case Note & Summary
The Supreme Court disposed of an interlocutory application filed in Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025 by directing the appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief Statistician of India, as Technical Consultant to the National Task Force. The Court ordered the Ministry of Education to issue the appointment order promptly and provide all necessary administrative support including infrastructure, data access, and appropriate remuneration/honorarium to Dr. Anant as per prevalent norms. The application was filed to ensure comprehensive and scientific analysis of survey data by the National Task Force.
Headnote
The Supreme Court heard an interlocutory application in Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025 -- The application sought appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant as Technical Consultant to the National Task Force -- The Court directed the appointment of Dr. Anant for comprehensive and scientific analysis of survey data -- The Ministry of Education was directed to issue appointment order and provide administrative support -- The Ministry was also directed to provide infrastructure, data access, and appropriate remuneration -- The interlocutory application was disposed of with these directions
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Issue of Consideration: The Issue of appointment of a technical consultant to assist the National Task Force in comprehensive and scientific analysis of survey data
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Final Decision
The Supreme Court allowed the interlocutory application and directed: (i) Appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant as Technical Consultant to National Task Force, (ii) Ministry of Education to issue appointment order, (iii) Ministry to provide administrative support, infrastructure, data access, and appropriate remuneration/honorarium to Dr. Anant as per prevalent norms
2026 LawText (SC) (02) 22
Interlocutory Application No. 25652 of 2026 in Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025
J.B. Pardiwala J. , R. Mahadevan J.
Ms. Aparna Bhat (Amicus Curiae), Mr. K.M. Nataraj (Additional Solicitor General for Union of India)
Union of India & Ors.
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Nature of Litigation: Interlocutory application in criminal appeal seeking appointment of technical consultant
Remedy Sought
Appellants sought appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant as Technical Consultant to National Task Force and administrative support from Ministry of Education
Filing Reason
To ensure comprehensive and scientific analysis of survey data by National Task Force
Previous Decisions
No previous decisions mentioned in the order
Issues
Whether Dr. T.C.A. Anant should be appointed as Technical Consultant to National Task Force
Whether Ministry of Education should provide administrative support and remuneration for the appointment
Submissions/Arguments
Appointment of technical expert needed for comprehensive survey data analysis
Administrative support required from Ministry of Education for effective functioning of consultant
Ratio Decidendi
The Court has power to appoint technical consultants in public interest matters to ensure proper analysis of data by expert bodies -- Government ministries must provide necessary administrative support for court-appointed consultants to function effectively
Judgment Excerpts
We direct that :- (i) Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief Statistician of India be appointed as Technical Consultant to the National Task Force for the purpose of comprehensive and scientific analysis of the survey data
The Ministry of Education, Union of India shall pass an order of appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant at the earliest
We also direct the Ministry of Education, Union of India to extend all necessary administrative support, more particularly the infrastructure & data access and to provide appropriate remuneration/honorarium to Dr. Anant in accordance with prevalent norms
Procedural History
Interlocutory Application No. 25652 of 2026 filed in Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025 -- Heard by Supreme Court on February 6, 2026 -- Disposed of with directions for appointment and administrative support
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