Supreme Court: NCSC cannot issue binding directions in service matters

The case concerns whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has the constitutional power to issue binding directions in service matters, specifically regarding the demotion of an employee and the payment of arrears by the Mumbai Port Authority.

Appellant: Mumbai Port Authority; Respondents: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and others (including Madhavi K. Chandorkar); Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol.

• The Court held that the Division Bench erred in finding that the NCSC's directions were within its constitutional powers.
• The Court determined that the NCSC has recommendatory, not adjudicatory, powers and cannot issue binding directions in service matters.
• The Court clarified that the powers of a civil court extended to the NCSC under Article 338(8) are limited to receiving evidence and examining witnesses, not making orders for implementation or payment.

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