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1994 Supreme(Pat) 235

HIGH COURT OF PATNA
N.K. SINHA, J.
Ram Bilas Mandal – Petitioner
Vs.
The State of Bihar & ors - Respondents
CWJC 8001 of 1991
Decided on : 23.6.94

Advocates appeared:
For the petitioner: M/s R.C. Jha and Ranjan Kumar Singh.
For the respondents: Mr. Rajendranath Jha, J.C. to G.P.II.

Headnote:Constitution of India, Articles 226 & 227 - departmental enquiry-enquiring officer not examining any witness in support of the charges framed nor relying on any document but merely on the statement of the petitioner admitting the delay in furnishing detailed accounts-finding of the enquiry office was based on inference drawn and inconsistent to the charge framed-disciplinary authority awarding punishment without applying his mind-enquiry report stands vitiated and punishment imposed by the disciplinary authority is vitiated on account of non-application of mind and also in violation of natural justice-AIR 1978 SC 1277 ref. (Paras 7, 8 & 9)

       

JUDGMENT

Naresh Kumar Sinha, J.

The legality of the enquiry report (Annexure 10) and the order dated 30.12.89 (Annexure 11) following a departmental enquiry against the petitioner on certain charges is under challenge in this application filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the constitution of India for issue of a writ of certiorari to quash annexure 10 and 11.

2. Only such facts relevant for disposal of this writ application need be noticed. The petitioner during the relevant time was Junior Engineer in the Road Construction Division, Sahebganj at Barhat section. As enquiry was held by the Vigilance department and all Junior engineers including the petitioner posted within the Sahebganj division were asked to explain as to how payment were made of certain works amounting to Rs.2000/- each without technical sanction, estimate and tender vide letter dated 2.8.84 issued under the signature of the Engineer-In Chief, Road Construction Deptt. (Respondent No. 2) a copy of which is Annexure-l. The petitioner submitted his show cause explaining his position that all the works done after preparation of estimate and after inviting tenders and after due sanction of the estimate by the competent authority. Though the vigilance department after a full enquiry reported that the petitioner had completed the works, nontheless a departmental enquiry was conducted against the petitioner with the Chief Engineer, Road Construction Department, Chotanagpur (Respondent No. 3) as the enquiring officer vide letter dated 7.7.1988. A copy of the said letter as also the charge-sheet dated 4.7.1988 served on the petitioner are Annexures 2 and 3 respectively. This was surprising for the Vigilance report a copy of the extract portion of which has been filed as Annuure-4 had suggested that the petitioner had completed the works. After the petitioner was suspended on 22.12.87 he tiled C.W.J.C No 1214 of 1988 which was disposed of on 12.4.88 vide Annexure 8 with a direction to complete the departmental proceeding within six months after staying the operation of the suspension order till the conclusion of the departmental proceeding against the petitioner. The petitioner filed his show cause dated 11.10.88 (Annexure 9) before the enquiring officer stating therein that he was innocent and the charges levelled against him had no legs to stand. As per the enquiry report (Annexure 10) the charges framed were found not to have been substantiated except one charge which was based on a general and vague allegation that there was some delay on the part of the petitioner in submitting his accounts. The enquiring officer, it is alleged, did not record any evidence nor brought any document on the record of the departmental proceeding and without giving any opportunity to the petitioner to have a say in the matter submitted the report which was a gross violation of relevant departmental Rules find Regulations and also the principles of natural justice. The report which found only one vague charge substantiated against the petitioner was based on conjectures and surmise. On the basis of the enquiry report (Annexure-10) four penalties were awarded to the petitioner by the impugned order i.e. office order bearing No. 259 dated 30.12.89 (Annexure-11). The petitioner claims that neither a copy of the enquiry report nor a copy of the order was ever served on him and that he came to know of both the enquiry report as also the impugned order only after receiving an order dated 7.10.91 (Annexure-12) transferring him to non work post in pursuance of one of the punishments awarded by the impugned order. Since the enquiry report (Annexure- 10) is based on no evidence And the enquiry proceeding having been conducted against the due procedure established under the law, the impugned order (Annelure-11) which was based on the enquiry report deserves to be quashed, The petitioner also claims that before passing of the impugned order inflicting the punishment, he was given no notice to explai




















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