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2021 Supreme(Del) 2105

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Rajiv Shakdher, J.
M/s. Delhi International Airport Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Ashwani Goel - Respondent
W.P. (C) No. 8215 of 2019, 11157 of 2019, 5854 of 2020; C.M. Appls No. 53086 of 2019, 14965 of 2020, 27755 of 2020
Decided On : 05-07-2021

Advocates appeared:
Dinesh Agnani, Advocate, Kumar, Advocate, Drishti Harpalani, Advocate, Uday Arora, Advocate, Rajiv Agarwal, Advocate, Meghna De, Advocate, L. Gangmei, Advocate, N. Bhushan, Advocate, Alok Kumar, Advocate

Headnote:(A) Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 - Section 10(2A) - Writ petitions challenging dismissal of employee - Dismissal set aside by Tribunal due to violation of natural justice - Tribunal found employee not given relevant documents - Appeal re: fairness of the proceedings - Management's inability to prove misconduct and failure to provide adequate defense opportunity led to setting aside dismissal order. (Paras 11-18)

(B) Principles of Natural Justice - Deprivation of opportunity to defend case and non-payment of subsistence allowances constitutes violation. (Paras 14-18)

Facts of the case:
Employee dismissed following an enquiry for alleged unauthorized absence; Tribunal concluded the dismissal lacked fair procedure and due process.

Findings of Court:
The Tribunal's decision deemed dismissal of employee illegal due to improper enquiry process.

Issues: The main issues were whether the Tribunal could permit evidence on misconduct and interpretation of previous rulings regarding evidence procedures.

Ratio Decidendi: Tribunal's ruling emphasized management's failure to prove misconduct, maintaining that due process was critical in disciplinary proceedings.

Result: The writ petitions filed by management dismissed, case remanded for fresh evidence and determinations.

Table of Content
1. dispute and petitions timeline. (Para 1)
2. background and context of dismissal. (Para 3 , 4)
3. tribunal's referral and legal grounds. (Para 7 , 8)
4. submissions by both parties. (Para 10 , 11)
5. court's analysis of jurisdiction. (Para 12 , 13)
6. analysis of previous case laws. (Para 14 , 15)
7. final thoughts on evidence and justice. (Para 16 , 17 , 18)
8. conclusions and orders made by the court. (Para 19 , 20 , 21 , 22)

JUDGMENT

Rajiv Shakdher, J. - XXX XXX XXX

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Preface: -........................................................................................................................ 3

    Background facts: - ............................................................................................................................... 4

    Submissions on behalf of Mr. Goel: - ................................................................................................. 12

    Submissions on behalf of DIAL: -..................................................................................................... 15

    Analysis and Reasons: - ................................................................................................................. 17

    Issue no. (i): - ............................................................................................................................. 17

    Issue no. (ii): - ............................................................................................................................. 30

    Conclusion: - ................................................................................................................................ 32

    Preface: -

    1. The above-captioned writ petitions concern the respondent i.e. Mr. Ashwani Goel [hereafter referred to as "Mr. Goel"]. Mr. Goel, who was employed with the petitioner i.e. Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd. [hereafter referred to as "DIAL"] was served with an order of dismissal on 19.05.2010. This led to an eruption of a dispute between Mr. Goel and DIAL, and consequently, a reference was made to the Central Government Industrial Tribunal [hereafter referred to as the "Tribunal"].

    1.1. During the pendency of the proceedings before the Tribunal, certain interim orders came to be passed followed by a final award, which has led to the institution of the above-captioned writ petitions.

    1.2. DIAL has filed two writ petitions, i.e., W.P. (C) 8215/2019 and W.P. (C) 11157/2019. DIAL, via W.P. (C) 8215/2019, has assailed interim orders dated 11.03.2019 and 03.06.2019 [hereafter referred to as "impugned orders"]. Likewise, DIAL has assailed the final award dated 02.07.2019, passed by the Tribunal [hereafter referred to as "impugned award"], via W.P. (C) 11157/2019.

    1.3. Since the impugned award, while setting aside the dismissal order and directing reinstatement of Mr. Goel with consequential benefits, limited the back wages to 60% of the outstanding amount, Mr. Goel has filed W.P. (C) 5854/2020 assailing this part of the impugned award.

2. Before I set out the core issues, which arise for consideration, in the above-referenced writ petitions, it would be relevant to set out the broad contours of the dispute obtaining between the parties.

    Backdrop: -

3. Mr. Goel was issued an offer of appointment by DIAL as Senior Assistant - Airside Monitoring Inspector, (See Clause 10 (e) of the Offer Letter dated 04.07.2007.) , in response to an application made by him, dated 04.07.2007. The offer letter required Mr. Goel to join DIAL on or before 15.07.2007 subject to him being declared medically fit. The offer letter referred, broadly, to the terms and conditions of the employment and also the fact that his spouse, two dependent children, and dependent parents including himself, will be covered u

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