Supreme Court Directives on National Task Force Appointment

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. 25652 OF 2026 IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1425 OF 2025

AMIT KUMAR & ORS.
…APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
…RESPONDENT(S)

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Order Summary

1. The Supreme Court has listened to the arguments presented by Ms. Aparna Bhat, the Amicus Curiae, and Mr. K.M. Nataraj, the Additional Solicitor General for the Union of India.
2. The application requested the following:
   • Appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant: The court directed the appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief Statistician of India, as the Technical Consultant to the National Task Force for a comprehensive and scientific analysis of the survey data.
   • Ministry of Education’s Role: The Ministry of Education, Union of India, must extend all necessary administrative support, including infrastructure and data access, and provide the appropriate remuneration or honorarium to Dr. Anant as per existing norms or as determined by the court.

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Court Directives

The Supreme Court has unequivocally outlined its directives:

• Appointment: Dr. T.C.A. Anant is to be appointed as Technical Consultant to the National Task Force.
• Expedited Action: The Ministry of Education, Union of India, is instructed to process Dr. Anant’s appointment promptly.
• Administrative Support: The ministry is mandated to ensure all necessary support, including infrastructure and data access, alongside appropriate financial remuneration for Dr. Anant.

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With these pivotal directions, the interlocutory application has been successfully disposed of.

Justice J.B. PARDIWALA
NEW DELHI ; FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Justice R. MAHADEVAN