2012 Supreme(Pat) 1
2012 (2) PLJR 673
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
V. N. Sinha, J.
SHYAM KISHORE SINHA
Versus
STATE OF BIHAR
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.7031 of 2007
Decided On : 02.01.2012
Headnote:Service Law-Departmental Proceeding-petitioner dismissed from service on the ground of his conviction u/s 326 I.P.C.-Conviction was in connection with occurrence taking place with regard to irrigation of the agricultural land without any pre-meditation at the spur of the moment and that too much prior to the petitioner entering into government service-at the time of appointment of the petitioner or during conduction of the selection process information about antecedent including the fact of being accused in criminal case was never asked for and the petitioner cannot be said to have suppressed information about his antecedent at the time of his appointment or while participating in the selection process-Conviction though recorded after petitioner entered the Government service should not be relied upon to dismiss the petitioner from service as the charge-sheet itself recites that his conduct during his service tenure has been satisfactory-dismissal set aside-petitioner directed to be reinstated with all consequential benefits. (Paras 6 & 7)
1. Learned counsel for the petitioner and the State are permitted to correct the averments made in paragraph-5, 15 of the writ petition and the counter affidavit respectively.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State.
3. At the relevant time petitioner served as Clerk in the office of Weavers Cooperative Society, Gulzarbagh, Patna. He has filed this writ petition questioning the validity of the order bearing Memo No.1125 dated 16.07.2005 Annexure-1 whereunder he has been dismissed from service on the ground of his conviction for the offence under Section 326 of the Penal Code in connection with Kako P.S. Case No.64 dated 19.07.1981 instituted for the offences under Sections 147, 148, 307, 323 of the Penal Code and Section 27 of the Arms Act. Trial court convicted the petitioner for the offence under Section 307/149 I.P.C. and sentenced him to undergo R.I. for 6 years which was also maintained by the appellate court. This Court under orders dated 12.11.1999 passed in Cr. Revision No.347 of 1995 Annexure-4, however, altered the conviction of the petitioner from 307 I.P.C. to one under Section 326 I.P.C. and sentenced him to undergo R.I. for one year after observing as follows :-
“There is substance, in the submission made on behalf of the petitioners that offence took place suddenly and there was no pre-planning before the occurrence in between the petitioners. The prosecution has failed to produce evidence that both these petitioners had intention or knowledge that under such circumstances their act of fire may cause death. It appears from the evidence adduced on behalf of the prosecution that firing was made without an intention to kill the informant”.
4. In the light of the order dated 12.11.1999 passed by the High Court petitioner surrendered before the trial court to undergo the sentence of R.I. for one year. After serving the sentence petitioner submitted his joining and was placed under suspension under order bearing memo no.162 dated 2.2.2001 Annexure-6. Charge sheet dated 20.08.2001 was also served on him under order dated 4.4.2002, Annexure-7 asking him to rebut the charge of conviction in connection with Kako P.S. Case No.64 dated 19.07.1981. Paragraph-cha of the charge sheet, itself indicates that conviction of the petitioner is for overt act, which took place prior to his entering the Government service. The charge sheet also recites that during service tenure conduct of the petitioner has been satisfactory.
5. In response to the charge sheet petitioner submitted his written defence stating that Kako P.S. Case No.64 dated 19.7.1981 was registered against him and other family members by the informant of the said case in connection with irrigation dispute which arose on 19.07.1981 between family members of the petitioner and informant much prior to his entry in service i.e. 5.11.1986 and as the conviction is for a occurrence, which took place at the spur of the moment without any premeditation much prior to the entry of the petitioner in service and the conduct of the petitioner during his service tenure has been satisfactory, he may not be proceeded against for such conviction. In this connection, petitioner placed reliance on the judgment of Kerala High Court in the case of Krishnan Kutti Versus Senior Superintendent of Post Offices Ernakulam and others, reported in 1975 All India Services Law Journal 749 paragraph-10. The authorities, however, did not accept the cause shown by the petitioner and passed the impugned dismissal order dated 16.07.2005, which has also been confirmed in appeal under order bearing Memo No.214 dated 15.2.2006, Annexure-2. Perusal of appellate order Annexure-2, however, indicates that the appellate authority non suited the petitioner on the ground that had the petitioner informed the appointing authority at the time of his appointment on 5.11.1986 that he is accused in Kako P.S. Case No.64 dated 19.07.1981, he may not have secured appointment and occasion to dismiss him