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2024 Supreme(Pat) 43

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Dr. ANSHUMAN, J.
CWJC No.2954 of 2020
(11.1.2024)
Raj Kumar ... Petitioner
vs.
State of Bihar & Ors. ... Respondents

Advocates appeared:
For the Petitioner: M/s Prashant Sinha, Rohan Verma.
For the Respondents: Mr. Dhirendra Kumar (AC to AAG-6).

Headnote:

Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 2005 – Rule 17 – Bihar Framing of Articles of Charge against Government Servants Regulations 2017 – Imposition of punishment – Charge memo is defective and it has not been issued in accordance with Regulation 2017 – This charge should go, in result charge shall go, then automatically every consequential effect shall also not be sustainable – Charge memo, enquiry report, punishment order and appellate order set aside – But since, this matter is relating to corruption against delinquent, such type of allegation is necessary to be checked afresh – Liberty granted to State to issue fresh charge memo according to Regulation 2017, may proceed further and conclude it within 6 months – Respondent directed to accept petitioner's joining and proceed further in accordance with CCA Rules, 2005 – Writ petition allowed. (Paras 7 to 11)

Dr. Anshuman, J.—Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

2. The present writ petition has been filed for quashing of the charge memo dated 16.01.2018 annexed as Annexure- 2/B, enquiry report dated 03.12.2018 annexed as Annexure-5/B, punishment order contained in Memo no. 2320 dated 16.08.2019 annexed as Annexure-8 and the appellate order contained in Memo no. 3556 dated 03.12.2019 annexed as Annexure-11.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was appointed as Junior Engineer and during his posting at Hilsa in the Engineering Organization, Works Division-2 at block office Hilsa, a Vigilance P.S. case No. 103/2017 was lodged on 23.11.2017 in which he was arrested with money and subsequently, a memo of charge has been framed against the petitioner by the Engineer-in-Chief on 16.01.2018. Upon releasing the petitioner from custody on 28.02.2018, a departmental proceeding was initiated against him and the petitioner has contested, but in the enquiry report, he was held responsible and the charge was proved against him vide letter No. 3665 dated 03.12.2018. Second show cause has been demanded from the petitioner which subsequently, resulted into punishment order vide memo no. 2320 dated 16.08.2019 which was challenged in appeal, but the said appeal was rejected vide order dated 25.11.2019.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the disciplinary proceeding against the petitioner has been guided by the Bihar Government Servant (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as “CCA Rules, 2005”). Counsel submits that there is a gross violation of mandatory provisions of rule 17(3) of the CCA Rules, 2005. Counsel further submits that admittedly, the charge memo has been issued to the petitioner on 16.01.2018 and according to the Bihar Framing of Articles of Charge against Government Servants Regulations 2011 notified vide Notification No. 3/M- 114/2010-322, dated 31.01.2011 which was repealed by Bihar Framing of Articles of Charge against Government Servants Regulations 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “Regulation 2017”) notified vide Notification No. 3/M-114/2010GAD-15983, dated 14.12.2017 in which the proforma of article of charge has to be issued in the light of Appendix-1 of the Regulation 2017. Counsel further submits that this provision has been tested by this Hon’ble Court in case of Uday Pratap Singh vs. The State of Bihar through Chief Secretary & Ors. reported in 2017(4) PLJR 195. Counsel for the petitioner further relied on another judgment in the case of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Coal India Limited & Ors. vs. Ananta Saha & Ors. reported in (2011) 5 SCC 142 that when the very inspection is bad and illegal, then all other subsequent consequential effect shall also treated to be illegal.

5. Learned counsel for the State on the other hand opposes the prayer of the petitioner and submits that the points raised by the petitioner has not been raised by him on any early occasion either before the Enquiry Officer or before the Disciplinary Authority or before the Appellate Authority, but only before this Hon’ble Court with a view to entertain the judicial review, the petitioner has raised such plea and he may not be permitted to raise such plea at such belated stage. Counsel also submits that the charge memo has been annexed in the counter affidavit as Annexure-A and submits that the said charge memo may not be in the proforma according to Regulation 2017, but all the ingredients mentioned in the Rule 17(3) of the CCA Rules, 2005 are there. Counsel for the State further submits that on this technical ground, the entire proceeding may not be treated illegal and if at worst, Hon’ble Court accepts this is violative of procedural lapse, then in that case, the opportunity may be granted to the State to proceed further as it is a case in which the delinquent has been arrested by the Vigilance Department with cash and the Officer who

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