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2018 Supreme(Ker) 654

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, J.
ANIL KUMAR A.P, S/O.A.A.PANKAJAKSHAN – Appellant
Vs.
MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR – Respondent
WP(C).No. 27355 of 2018
Decided on : 28-09-2018

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : ELVIN PETER P.J.
For the Respondent: SRI.P.C.SASIDHARAN, SRI.ASOK M. CHERIAN, SC, M.G. UNIVERSITY

Headnote:

Service Law- Constitution of India-Art.226-The petitioner is under suspension for nearly 60 days. Suspension cannot be used as a weapon to penalise -What could be gathered as a misconduct is already there on his social media postings. There is no scope for him to interfere with any materials now gathered. Larger public interest demand that the employee shall not be continued under suspension- The petitioner is ordered to be reinstated forthwith

Statement of facts:

The petitioner is under suspension for nearly 60 days. Suspension cannot be used as a weapon to penalise. Continuation of suspension must be in larger public interest. The continuation, if pose threat to an ongoing inquiry, such delinquent employee need not be reinstated pending such enquiry

Finding of the court:

There is nothing imminent danger that would affect the ongoing process of inquiry as well as the image of the University if the petitioner is ordered to be reinstated-The petitioner is restrained from making any such postings in social media touching upon his inquiry or any disciplinary action initiated against him, till the disciplinary inquiry concludes-The petitioner is ordered to be reinstated forthwith.

Result: Writ petition is disposed of

JUDGMENT :

My prodigious sin was, and still is, being a non-conformist..., the sentiments echoed by Charlie Chaplin in “My Autobiography” resembles the thoughts of the petitioner expressed through the social media as against the barriers around him. The petitioner has now fallen in disciplinary boundaries of M.G.University and seeking interference of this Court. The petitioner, a University Assistant, is on the claws of suspension pressed on him by the University.

2. A fastidious outlook of a person often invites wrath of others as he may not fall on line of the course decided by them. Being an active member of the Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Association, the petitioner was thrown out from its primary membership on 5.6.2018. This followed his emotional outburst in a sarcastic frame in the social media to poignantly depict persons, who wield power. He also made an appeal to organise a theatre and music club to catalyst the movement towards upholding values. Be that it may look as outrageous to someone, who would really be aggrieved to be provoked, nonetheless for an independent reader it was his angrily disparage on the persons with whom he is at loggerheads. The petitioner has not chosen to name, Institution or persons against whom such diatribe was intended. There is nothing on the face to conclude that it was against the University or the officials of the University. One can ignore this as a mere outcry. But those who know what had caused his vituperative response cannot remain unmindful, to be provoked for vengeance. Any such outcry in social media need not be understood as against the Institution. It may be a subject matter of inquiry whether it was intended against the University or against officers or was against the persons in the Union. If this emotional outburst is understood in isolation with his expulsion of membership, perhaps it may have any colourable meaning. The University thought that it was an attack on the University or towards persons, who were in higher echelons of the University. Provoked by this, the University suspended him from service on 8.8.2018. This writ petition was filed on 10.9.2018 challenging his suspension. Taking note of the nature and the circumstances leading to the suspension, this Court thought it fit to relegate to the Vice Chancellor by an Interim Order dated 14.9.2018 to decide upon continuation of the suspension order. On 18.9.2018 that was considered. Reiterating that it was a call from the petitioner to instigate the employees rebel against the University and authorities and tarnish the prestige of the University in public, suspension was ordered to be continued. The learned counsel for the University, Shri P.C.Sasidharan points out the maintainability of the writ petition without recourse to statutory remedy before the Syndicate.

3. What constitute a misconduct, perhaps is the subject matter of the inquiry. It would be inappropriate for this Court to deal with that issue now.

4. Emotional outburst of a disgruntled, through social media in a louder voice is part of his right of free speech. In certain circumstances, there are chances that such public outburst would intersect with the Institution's interest. What is acceptable behaviour by use of social media is a subject matter of various debate in this country and elsewhere. Absence of social media guidelines often lead to confrontation of this nature.

5. Human impulses conditioned by thought processes are expressed in varied forms, if men are precluded from expressing sentiments on matters of interest of all, though it may be distasteful for some but need to be gauged on an Institutional perspective. Individuals identified with Institutions are, in fact, part of the Institution's identity. If such expressions breach the limit or boundary and it entrench to tarnish the prestige of the Institution, such tendency must be desisted through actions. How far it had tarnished the prestige of the Institution is a matter for inquiry. Th









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