1979 Supreme(Raj) 387
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
S.C.Agrawal, J.
Sultan Singh - Appellant
Versus
The State of Rajasthan And Ors. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 178 of 1974.
Decided On : 07-09-1979
The retrospective amendment of a Rule framed under Article 309 of the Constitution validates actions taken under the Act even before the amendment was made, and there is no question of having to validate any action already taken provided it is subsequent to the date from which the amendment is given retrospective effect.
Headnote:
COMPULSORY RETIREMENT - RULE 244(2) OF RAJASTHAN SERVICE RULES - VALIDITY - SECTION 115(7) OF STATES REORGANISATION ACT, 1956 - APPLICABILITY - CIRCULAR DATED 18TH AUGUST, 1958, 19/26TH APRIL, 1972 AND 19TH JUNE, 1972 - VALIDITY - IMPUGNED ORDER OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT - VALIDITY - MALAFIDE - PUBLIC INTEREST - PROCEDURE - RULE 31(A) OF RULES OF EXECUTIVE BUSINESS - VIOLATION.
Fact of the Case:
Petitioner, a Dy. Superintendent of Police, challenged the order of compulsory retirement passed by the State Government under Rule 244(2) of the Rajasthan Service Rules on various grounds, including malafide, non-application of mind, and violation of procedural rules.
Finding of the Court:
1. Rule 244(2) of the Rajasthan Service Rules, as amended, was held to be valid and not violative of Articles 14, 16, and 311(2) of the Constitution or Section 115(7) of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. 2. The circulars dated 18th August, 1958, 19/26th April, 1972, and 19th June, 1972 were upheld as valid. 3. The impugned order of compulsory retirement was found to be passed in accordance with the procedure laid down in the circulars and Rule 31(a) of the Rules of Executive Business. 4. The allegation of malafide and non-application of mind by the State Government was not substantiated.
Issues: 1. Whether Rule 244(2) of the Rajasthan Service Rules, as amended, was violative of Articles 14, 16, and 311(2) of the Constitution or Section 115(7) of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956? 2. Whether the circulars dated 18th August, 1958, 19/26th April, 1972, and 19th June, 1972 were valid? 3. Whether the impugned order of compulsory retirement was passed in accordance with the procedure laid down in the circulars and Rule 31(a) of the Rules of Executive Business? 4. Whether the allegation of malafide and non-application of mind by the State Government was substantiated?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The amendment to Rule 244(2) deleting the requirement that compulsory retirement would be made in public interest did not vary the conditions of service of the petitioner to his disadvantage, as the notes appended to the Rule contemporaneously prescribed that compulsory retirement could only be exercised against inefficient government servants. 2. The petitioner, not being covered by Sub-sections (1) or (2) of Section 115 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, could not claim any rights under Sub-section (7) of Section 115 of the Act. 3. The retrospective amendment of Rule 244(2) with effect from 19th August, 1972, validated the impugned order of compulsory retirement passed on 27th January, 1973, as the Rule, as amended, should be treated to have been in the Statute book on the date of the order. 4. The allegation of malafide and non-application of mind by the State Government was not substantiated, as the impugned order was passed on the recommendation of the Screening Committee after considering the petitioner's service record.
Final Decision: The writ petition challenging the order of compulsory retirement was dismissed.
"Whereas Shri Sultan Singh, Asstt. Commandant, has completed 25 years of qualifying service.
Now, therefore, in pursuance of Sub-rule (2) of Rule 244 of the Rajasthan Service Rules, the State Government hereby requires Shri Sultan Singh by payment So him of three months pay and allowances in lieu of three months previous notice, to retire from the service on the date of receipt of this order by him.
A bank draft of the amount of Rs. 2760/- in respect of three months pay and allowances in liew of three months previous notice is enclosed."
Being aggrieved by the aforesaid order, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.