PATNA HIGH COURT
N.Pandey and Shiva Kirti Singh JJ.
Chandra Nath Thakur
Versus
Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board
Letter Patent Appeal No. 123 of 1988 ; 124 of 1988 ; 127 of 1988 ;
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 4540 of 1984 ;
Decided On : JANUARY 29, 1999
CWJC No. 2084/82 dated 10th August 1987 approved.
Constitution of India - Article 226 - A teacher of privately managed school even aided financially by the State Govt. can not maintain a writ petition against an order of termination passed by the Managing Committee, but where unequal treatment is found amongst the teachers of similar category certainly a remedy under article 226 of the Constitution would be available. (Paras 13 to 15)
AIR 1989 SC 1607, AIR 1998 SC 295 Dist. AIR 1976 SC 888, AIR 1997 SC 1422, 1987 PLJR 962 - Relied
Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Education Board Act 1981- Section 2(dha) and 22(2)(ga) - No rule has been framed for constitution of Managing Committee in question cannot be said to be constituted under the act - In absence of such a rule dissolution of a managing committee can only be done by Board is acceptional circumstances and public interest but not is a routine manner. There is no provision under the act that a power of the Board can be deligated upon The Chairman or any other authority - The power to grant approval of the appointment of the teachers or dissolution or constitution of Managing Committee only vests with the Board - Hence the order passed by the Chairman regarding dissolution of the Managing Committee or constitution of ad-hoc Managing Committee held to be illegal and without jurisdiction. (Paras 17 & 18)
Narbdeshwar Pandey, J.
1. In these three appeals, the judgment of a learned Single Judge In CWJC Nos. 5340 of 1987 and 5829 of 1987 is under challenge. L.P.A. Nos. 123 and 124 of 1988 have been preferred by the Writ Petitioner Chandra Nath Thakur whereas L.P.A. No. 127 of 1988 is on behalf of the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board (in short the Board).
In CWJC No. 4540 of 1984, which was directed to be heard along with these appeals, the Managing Committee of Shri Bhagirath Madhyamik Sanskrit Vidyalaya has sought for quashing of the order of the Chairman of the Board, contained in letter dated 8.9.1984, where by, while dissolving the Managing Committee, an ad hoc Managing Committee was constituted.
2. But having regard to the controversy involved, it is not necessary to state the facts in detail. Suffice it to say that appellant Chandra Nath Thakur was appointed as a teacher by the Managing Committee of the School. This is not in dispute that on or about 22.8.1981, the said school was recognized by the State of Bihar as Private Sanskrit High School. In the year, 1983, appellant Thakur was involved in a criminal case and non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued. The Managing Committee, therefore, having regard to involvement of Shri Thakur in the criminal cases and some other cases, in its meeting on 19.4.1984, adopted a resolution to suspend him and to initiate a departmental proceeding.
3. Meanwhile, the Governor of Bihar in exercise of his powers conferred upon him under Article 213(1) of the Constitution of India, promulgated an Ordinance known as Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Education Board Ordinance, 1980, which was ultimately enacted as Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Education Board Act, 1981 and came into force with effect from 24.1.1982 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). The Chairman of the Board by his order dated 8.9.1984, as stated above, dissolved the Managing Committee and constituted an ad hoc Managing Committee in relation thereto, and also took a decision to set aside the order of suspension of Shri Thakur.
4. The Managing Committee questioning the validity of the said order, filed CWJC No. 4540 of 1984 wherein the Court by order dated 9.11.1984 stayed the operation of the order of the Chairman. Thus, the old Managing Committee continued to function and ultimately on 26.9.1985, terminated the services of appellant Thakur by the order, contained in Annexure-4 to CWJC No. 5829 of 1987 and the order of termination was communicated through registered post. But despite the knowledge of the order of termination, Shri Thakur filed an application before the Chairman of the Board on 2.11.1985 for payment of his salary and ultimately by an ex-parte order dated 16.4.1987, the Chairman directed the Managing Committee to pay salary of Shri Thakur, which was challenged by the Managing Committee in CWJC No. 5829 of 1987, whereas CWJC No. 5340 of 1987 was filed on behalf of Shri Thakur for a writ of mandamus directing the Board to enforce the order of Chairman.
5. It appears, after considering the claim and counter claim of the parties and having regard to the various provisions of the Act, three basic questions were raised before the learned Single Judge for consideration--(i) Whether the provisions of the Bihar Sanskrit Siksha Education Board Act, 1981 confer any power upon the Board to approve or disapprove disciplinary action taken by the Managing Committee against a teacher, (ii) Whether the Managing Committee of the School in question subsists in view of the order of dissolution by the Board and lastly (iii) Whether a writ can be issued by this Court against the Managing Committee?
6. Answering the first and second questions, in the opinion of the learned Judge, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and In absence of any statutory Rule framed by the State Government, as required under Section 22 of the Act, it would not be proper to hold that Sec. 6 of the Act does envisage an exclusive and overall control of
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