Point of Law: Doctrine of merger is not a doctrine of universal or unlimited application. It will depend on the nature of jurisdiction exercised by the superior forum and the content or subject matter of challenge laid or capable of being laid shall be determinative of the applicability of merger.”

JUDGMENT :

Factual Matrix of the Case

1. Respondent no.1 was appointed as Bus Conductor in Buduan Depot of the petitioner-Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “UPSRTC”) in the year 1997 and was confirmed on 05.09.1998.

2. On 09.04.2008, the bus No.U.P.25-Q 9475, plying between Budaun to Farrukhabad in which respondent no. 1 was Conductor, was checked by a team of three members while going and coming back. During checking 3 and 13 passengers were found travelling without ticket, respectively.

3. A charge-sheet dated 13.05.2008 was served upon respondent no.1 on 13.05.2008. Shri Z.A. Nomani was appointed as Enquiry Officer, who after conducting enquiry submitted his report dated 23.12.2008. Relevant part of the enquiry report is mentioned hereinafter.

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4. A show cause notice dated 07.01.2012, along with a copy of enquiry report was served upon the petitioner, who submitted his reply on 06.02.2013. The Assistant Regional Manager passed order dated 16.02.2013 wherein he found charges against the Respondent No. 1 to be proved and awarded punishment of removal from service and forfeiting arrears of salary of gratuity etc. for the period the respondent No.1 was under suspension.

5. The appeal and revision filed by the respondent no.1 was rejected by orders dated 25.06.2013 and 05.12.2014 by Regional Manager and Managing Director, UPSRTC, respectively.

6. The petitioner raised an industrial dispute before the Labour Court and a reference No.10534-37 CP 23/15 dated 07.10.2016 was referred, which was registered as Industrial Dispute No.15/2016 that:

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7. The Presiding Officer after considering the written statements and oral statements decided the preliminary issue by order dated 17.02.2021 and held that domestic enquiry was not conducted according to due procedure and thus cannot be considered to be valid and legal, and permitted UPSRTC to submit evidence in support of the charge. The said order was not challenged by the UPSRTC and participated in further proceedings. The relevant part of the said order is mentioned hereinafter:

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