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2005 Supreme(Del) 1080

HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Markandeya Katju, C.J. Madan. B.Lokur, J.
India Tourism Development Corpn Ltd. – Appellant
Versus
Poonam Rai - Respondent
LPA 438 of 2002
Decided on : 07.12.2005

Advocates appeared:
Mr. Ajay Kapur and Mr. Manoj Kumar Jha, Advs. for the Appellant.
Mr. A.K. Bajpai and Mr. Puneet Gupta, Advs. for the Respondent.

Headnote:Constitution of India, 1950 Article 226 - Writ - Appointment - The respondent was appointed on the post of Cashier-cum-sales assistant on contract basis in the services of the appellant - Services terminated as per clause 6 of the appointment order - An appointment on contract-basis is nothing but a temporary - She had no right to the post and there was no need to give her any opportunity of hearing before terminating her service nor was it necessary to assign reasons. [Para 10]

       Limitation Laches - Services terminated in 1995 - Writ Petition filed in 2001 - Petition is highly belated and is liable to be dismissed on the ground of laches.

       

JUDGMENT

Markandeya Katju, C.J.

1. This writ appeal has been filed against the impugned judgment of learned single Judge dated 9.5.2002, Annexure A to the appeal.

2. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

3. The facts in detail have been set out in the judgment of the learned single Judge and hence we are not repeating unless where necessary.

4. The respondent (writ petitioner) was appointed on the post of Cashier-cum-Sales Assistant on contract basis in the service of the appellant corporation by order dated 14.1.1994 upto 31.5.1996. Clause 3 of the appointment order states:

"On the expiry of the period of contract, your services shall automatically stand terminated and you shall be deemed to have been relieved."

5. Clause 6 of the appointment order states:

"During the period of contract, your services are liable to be terminated at any time without any notice from either side and without assigning any reason thereof."

6. It is alleged in para 10 of the writ petition that the petitioner discharged her duties without any complaint from anyone and she maintained absolute integrity and efficiency and was obedient, disciplined and diligent. However, to her surprise she was handeaover a letter dated 26.4.1995 by the Deputy General Manager of the corporation intimating her that her services stood terminated with immediate effect under clause 6 of the appointment letter dated 14.1.1994. True copy of the termination order is Annexure P2 to the writ petition.

7. It is alleged in para 12 of the writ petition that the said termination order is illegal as no reasons have been given in the same, and no show cause notice was given.

8. It is alleged in para 13 of the petition that petitioner filed an appeal , dated 21.8.1995 to the Chairman and Managing Director of the Corporation but the same remained pending for a long time. She then also made a representation to the Vice President which is undated. However, no heed was made to the same. Petitioner also wrote a letter dated 13.10.2000 to the Chairman & Managing Director of the Corporation requesting that her case be considered compassionately. However, the said appeal was rejected by letter dated 3.1.2001, Annexure P5 to the writ petition.

9. Aggrieved, the petitioner filed the writ petition which was allowed and hence this appeal.

10. It is well settled that a temporary appointee has no right to the post vide State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr. v. Kaushal Kishore Shukla 1991 (1) SCC 691. An appointment on contract basis is nothing but a temporary appointment. Hence the writ petitioner had no right to the post and there was no need to give her any opportunity of hearing before terminating her service nor was it necessary to assign reasons.

11. From the counter affidavit filed in the writ petition it appears that the order dated 3.1.2001 was passed on the representation of the petitioner dated 13.10.2000 which was made by the writ petitioner to the corporation on compassionate grounds. The writ petition was thereafter filed on 11.7.2001. In our opinion, the same is highly belated as her service was terminated on 26.4.1995.

12. In para 4 of the counter affidavit it is stated that admittedly the appointment was a fixed term temporary appointment and clause 6 of the appointment letter clearly stated that the appointment could be terminated at any time without assigning any reason. Hence there is no illegality in the termination order.

13. In para 6 of the counter affidavit it is stated that the performance of the writ petitioner was not found satisfactory and hence her service was terminated in pursuance of clause 6 of the appointment letter. It is further alleged that petitioner's services was not terminated as a penalty.

14. In para 10 of the counter affidavit it is stated that the petitioner's performance was found to be unsatisfactory. The performance was reviewed by the competent authority which decided to terminate her service.

15. In para 13 it is denied that petitioner made any app










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