CAT removes BrahMos CEO Jaiteerth R Joshi, asks defence ministry to reconsider senior scientist for top post

The case was filed on 29 November, with the first hearing on 30 November. The tribunal has sought a detailed response from DRDO within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing for 30 December. Joshi and DRDO have been named respondents. Joshi had taken charge on 2 December 2024.On the domestic front, the Indian Army and Air Force are in the midst of further BrahMos procurements, and the ongoing leadership ambiguity raises concerns about meeting strategic priorities.The tribunal referenced the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for selecting the Director General of BrahMos, noting that while the Secretary DDR&D and DRDO Chairman can approve one of the names submitted by the Selection Committee, they cannot ignore the service records of other eligible scientists.The ministry and DRDO had contended that Joshi’s selection was lawful and in accordance with the rules. However, the tribunal highlighted changes made to the SOP post-2022, including a reduction in required residual service from 18 months to 12 months.The tribunal observed: “It can be said that this has been done with vested interest, knowing fully well that it is a sensitive post. A Scientist with higher qualifications and technical experience in DRDO, with an immaculate service record, should have been considered. Though the panel of names was arranged alphabetically, this is not supported by any rules.”Regarding Joshi’s appointment, the tribunal expressed surprise: “When Distinguished Scientists are available, there is no question of such a post being offered to a Scientist ‘H’.”Eight scientists had applied for the post, including two Distinguished Scientists and six others in the Scientist ‘H’ category. “However, in the minutes of the Selection Committee, the names were recommended alphabetically, for which no rule has been shown to us,” the order stated.



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