The Central government has announced the appointment of Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel as the chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for four years.

The order was issued with immediate effect on Friday stating that Justice Patel’s appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) which is chaired by the Prime Minister.

“As approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, the Central Government here appoints Justice DN Patel, Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to the post of Chairperson, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal in the salary of Rs 2,50,000/- (fixed) p.m., for four years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest,” read the order issued by the Ministry of Communications.

The order further said that conditions of service of Justice Patel shall be governed by the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021.

The tenure of current chairperson Justice Shiva Kirti Singh had ended last year but the Supreme Court had in June 2021 extended the same since the new chairperson had not been appointed yet, reported by Bar and Bench.

Justice Patel is set to retire from the post of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on March 12.

Justice Patel enrolled as an advocate in 1984 and practiced before the Gujarat High Court.

He was appointed as Additional Central Government Standing Counsel by the Union of India in the year 1999 and as Senior Central Government Standing Counsel by Central Government for the High Court of Gujarat in July 2001.

He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Gujarat on March 7, 2004, and took oath as permanent Judge of High Court of Gujarat on January 25, 2006.