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2008 Supreme(Pat) 1

PATNA HIGH COURT
Ram Krishna Dubey
Versus
State Of Bihar
Letters Patent Appeal No. 779 of 2007 ;
Decided On : JANUARY 2, 2008

Headnote:Service Law-Termination-Termination from service for obtaining appointment by forged appointment letter-Petitioner had already been regularised by absorption-A permanent employees service can only be terminated by following the procedure laid down in rules for removal of a permanent employee and that procedure must be accorded within Article 311 (2) of Constitution-There being no misconduct on the part of appellant and there being no allegation or finding by any competent authority about any misconduct on the part of incumbent in securing appointment, impugned order of termination cannot be sustained-There can be no justification for recovery of emoluments paid to appellant for the period he has actually discharged his duties of office-Judgment under appeal set aside.

       (Paras 7 to 13)

       Service Law-Termination-Forging of appointment letter is a grave misconduct and this cannot be assumed without holding proper enquiry-Where any notice was issued or ought to have been issued is not within the domain of incumbent-Whether a person who has disclosed his correct age and could have been given appointment by relaxation is also a matter which is not answerable by incumbent.

       (Paras 8 & 11)

Judgment

1. This appeal is against the order of learned single Judge dated 23rd of August, 2007 dismissing the writ petition filed by the petitiorjer-appellant. The petitioner-appellant has challenged the Memo. No.2483 dated 26th of August, 2000, issued by the District Education Officer, Hajipur (Vaishali), by which he has been removed from services from the post of Clerk in S.S. Girls High School, Hajipur and also to recover all emoluments paid to him during the period he had served.

2. The relevant facts about the Service of the petitioner-appellant are that he was appointed on urgent temporary basis on 16th March, 1985 for a period of three months which continued through extensions granted from time to time. By order dated 17th August, 1989 the petitioner-appellant was regularly employed by absorption in L.M. High School, Bhagwanpur and was assigned seniority with effect from that date. Thereafter, in terms of the Bihar Government Order dated 13.11.1981 the petitioner-appellant was given a time bound promotion in the Selection Grade by prder dated 23rd November, 1995. It appears that oh 21.6.1999 on the basis of certain Audit. Objection the petitioner-appellant was required to show whether at the time of his appointment provisions relating to giving appointment has been followed or not and whether his appointment is not contrary to any of the provisions laid for such appointments and that if satisfactory reply is not given within eight days his services will be liable to be terminated. A second letter was issued on 4.9.1999 and on 10.1.2000 a show cause notice was given to him. After considering reply to show cause notice his appointment is found to be illegal and irregular including that at the time of his appointment he had crossed the upper age limit.

3. However, there was no allegation that in any of the irregularities pointed out, including about date of birth, the petitioner-appellant was instrumental or concealed any materials required to be disclosed by him . Yet a show cause was given why his services be not terminated and, ultimately, by the impugned order in the writ petition, his services were terminated.

4. The counter was filed supporting the order stated therein, namely, that since the initial appointment was not in accordance with the procedure laid, his services cannot be continued The learned single Judge has dismissed the writ petition principally on the ground tihat original appointment was given without advertisement and publicity. In the close of the judgment a passing observation was made that it further appears that he had forged his appointment letter.

5. It appears that whole contention and the Stand taken by the respondent-State! were for Considering the matter from the point of view for regularization a person who has been continuing long in service as a temporary hand.

6. Having considered the facts and circumstances. which have been brought before us, as noticed obove. it is clear that the petitioner- appellant has already been regularized on 17.8.1989 by absorption Nothing has been said or alleged about invalidity of order dated 17.8.1989 as a result of which the petitioner-appellant had become permanently absorbed and thereafter his services could have been terminated only in the manner the services of a permanent civil servaht can be dispensed with.

7. From the show cause notice or from the impugned order nowhere it is shown any complicity of the petitioner-appellant about any misrepresentation on the part of his being eligible or qualification or complicity in taking appointment letter by any illegal means has been alleged. Apparently all matters directed to the petitioner- appellant for show cause related to some body else. Whether any notice was issued or ought to have been issued is not within the domain of the incumbent. Whether a person who has disclosed his correct age and could have been given appointment by relaxation is. also a matter which is not answerable by the incumbent. No mis







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