IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
Deepak Roshan, J.
Bhaswati Sharma - Appellant
Vs.
State Of Jharkhand - Respondent
W.P. (S) No. 3284 of 2012
Decided On : 16-03-2021
Bihar Pension Rule - Rule 43(b) – Service matter Enquiry report - Show-cause notice as regards report of enquiry officer finding that appointment of petitioner was made irregular – Challenged - Petitioner submits that now since petitioner has retired as such the department cannot pursue with the departmental proceeding, inasmuch as, there is no charge of misconduct. The question of departmental enquiry instituted before retirement and its continuation after the age of superannuation was considered - Held, It is clarified that departmental proceeding against this petitioner was pending due to order of stay passed by this Court and it is not a case that any fresh departmental proceeding is to be initiated against this petitioner after her retirement; as such, department shall proceed in pending departmental proceeding in accordance with law - It was held that proceedings could be continued under relevant rules, and as provided, order could have been passed with respect to pension and gratuity. Proceedings did not become infructuous - Matter is remitted back to disciplinary authority with a direction to proceed in matter in accordance with law by giving notice to the petitioner - Writ application dismissed
JUDGMENT
Deepak Roshan, J. - Heard learned counsel for the parties through V.C.
2. The instant writ application has been preferred by the petitioner praying therein for quashing the charge-sheet issued under letter No.548 dated 18.02.2010 (Annexure-9) and also for quashing the letter No.1159 dated 03.05.2012; whereby the petitioner has been issued second show-cause notice as regards the report of the enquiry officer finding that the appointment of the petitioner was made irregular. Petitioner has also challenged the enquiry report dated 21.06.211 (Annexure11).
3. Mr. Rajeeva Sharma, learned senior counsel for the petitioner submits that now since the petitioner has retired on 31.01.2018; as such the department cannot pursue with the departmental proceeding, inasmuch as, there is no charge of misconduct. He further submits that for any action to be taken after retirement there are provisions under Bihar Pension Rule and Rule 43(b) clearly stipulates that if there is misconduct or pecuniary loss to the government then only the said provision can be invoked.
4. Mr. Shrey Mishra, learned counsel for the respondent-State submits that the petitioner was illegally appointed without proper procedure of appointment in the year 1985 on the post of Assistant Teacher in Rajkiya Kannya Madhya Vidyalaya, Sahibganj by the then Inspector of School-cum-Deputy Director of Education.
As a matter of fact, the issue with regard to illegal appointments was further investigated by the C.B.I and the then District Education Officer enquired the matter of appointed teacher of Rajkiya Kannya Madhya Vidyalaya and found irregularity and illegality in the appointment. Further on perusal of the show-cause reply of the writ petitioner, the District Education Officer, Sahibganj found that the petitioner has been illegally appointed without following the departmental procedure of appointment and has also been sanctioned first time bound promotion.
Mr. Mishra further submits that in her B.Ed certificate; no name of college was mentioned, meaning thereby to say it was not known from which college the petitioner has completed B.Ed degree and due to all these facts, charge-sheet was issued and the departmental proceeding was conducted and when the second show-cause notice was issued to the petitioner before imposing the order of punishment; this petitioner challenged the second show cause notice along with the enquiry report etc. which was since stayed by this Court, no final order can be passed.
He lastly submits that other similarly situated teachers who were also illegally appointed have been terminated and the petitioner could not take benefit of stay order by this Court and the instant writ application deserves to be dismissed as the initial appointment itself is illegal without following proper procedure of appointment.
5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and after going through the averments made in the respective affidavits, it appears that the appointment of this petitioner was illegal, inasmuch as, no proper procedure for appointment was followed. No advertisement was published and the petitioner was appointed by the then School Inspector-cum- Deputy Director of Education. From the counter affidavit it further appears that the B.Ed certificate which was submitted by this pe
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