Amit Kumar & Ors.v.Union of India & Ors.
[Supreme Court Jurisdiction — Interlocutory Applications — Appointment of Technical Consultant for comprehensive and scientific analysis of survey data by National Task Force.]
The Supreme Court, in exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, can issue interlocutory directions for the appointment of expert technical consultants and mandate administrative support and data access from government ministries to assist National Task Forces in data analysis.
2026 INSC 128
REPORTABLE
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)
1. Heard Ms. Aparna Bhat, the learned Amicus Curiae and Mr. K.M. Nataraj, the learned Additional Solicitor General for the Union of India.
2. By this application the following has been prayed for:-
“a) Direct the appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, former Chief Statistician of India, as Technical Consultant to the National Task Force for comprehensive and scientific analysis of the survey data;
b) Direct the Ministry of Education, Union of India, to extend all necessary administrative support, infrastructure, data access, and to provide appropriate remuneration /honorarium to Dr. Anant, as per prevalent norms or as may be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.”
3. 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.
(ii) The Ministry of Education, Union of India shall pass an order of appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant at the earliest.
(iii) 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.
4. With the aforesaid directions, this interlocutory application stands disposed of accordingly.
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J. (J.B. PARDIWALA)
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J (R. MAHADEVAN)
NEW DELHI ; FEBRUARY 6, 2026