2007 Supreme(UK) 271
2007 (2) U.D. 93
High Court of Uttarakhand
Prafulla C. Pant, J.
Bhairav Datta Dobariyal - Plaintiff/Appellant
Vs.
Board of Directors, District Cooperative Bank Ltd., Kotdwar and another - Respondents
Second Appeal No. 682 of 2001
Decided on : 16-05-2007.
Sri Rahul Kansal, holding brief of Sri Vipul Sharma, Advocate for the plaintiff/appellant and Sri L. Dobhal, Advocate for the respondent no. 1.
The court upheld the termination order and found that the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Headnote:
Code of Civil Procedure - Appeal against termination of services - U.P. Co-operative Societies Act, 1965 - Rule 21, Rule 22 - The court found that the termination order was not illegal and upheld it. The jurisdiction of the Civil Court to entertain the suit was found to be barred by the U.P. Co-operative Societies Act, 1965.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for declaration that the termination of his services was null and void, alleging violation of principles of natural justice. The trial court decreed the suit, but the appellate court dismissed it. The plaintiff appealed to the Allahabad High Court.
Finding of the Court:
The appellate court found that the termination order was not illegal and upheld it. It also held that the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Issues: Jurisdiction of the Civil Court, legality of termination, non-joinder of necessary parties, limitation, relief for the plaintiff
Ratio Decidendi: The court found that the termination order was not illegal and upheld it. It also held that the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Final Decision: The second appeal was dismissed.
This appeal, preferred under Section 100 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, is directed against the judgment and decree dated 10-8-1979, passed by learned District Judge, Pauri Garhwal, in Civil Appeal No. 38 of 1978, whereby said appeal is allowed and judgment and decree dated 11-11-1978, passed by Munsif, Lansdowne, in Original Suit No. 18 of 1972, is set aside and the suit is dismissed.
2. Heard learned counsel for the parties:
3. Brief facts of the case are that plaintiff Bhairav Datta Dobariyal, instituted a suit for declaration that order dated 5-12-1969, passed by defendant / respondent no.1, terminating his services, is null and void. The plaintiff also sought his reinstatement in services with effect from 26-8-1969, with full pay and allowances. Factual matrix of the case shows that plaintiff joined the defendant District Cooperative Bank in the year 1960-61 as Accounts Clerk. He has pleaded in the plaint that he discharged his duty honestly and promoted to the post of Cashier in the year 1962-63. In the year 1966-67, he was selected for managerial training and sent to Rajpur, Dehradun, for said purpose. In 1968, it is alleged by the plaintiff that he sent a complaint to His Excellency Governor, complaining about the irregularities committed in the Bank. It is pleaded that the then Manager of the Bank, Sri Harikrishana Dimri, got annoyed with the plaintiff and a false report of misappropriation of funds of the Bank was sent by said Manager against the plaintiff. The plaintiff was placed under suspension. Subsequently, a charge sheet was served on him, which included the charge of misappropriation of the Bank's funds. It is pleaded in the plaint that plaintiff submitted his explanation, but without giving proper opportunity of being heard, his services were terminated vide resolution no. 2 dated 5-12-1969, by the Bank. Challenging the termination order, on the ground that the principles of natural justice were violated, the suit was instituted before the trial court.
4. The defendant contested the suit and filed his written statement, in which it is pleaded that on 25-7-1969, when Harikrishan Dimri, Manager of the Bank, inspected and verified the cash, it was found short of Rs. 5,863.60/-. The plaintiff could not explain the shortage. It is further pleaded that an inquiry was held under the bye-laws of the Bank and a special committee was constituted for the purpose. It is stated that the plaintiff was served with the charge sheet on 11-10-1969. The plaintiff did not submit explanation within time. On this, fresh opportunity was given and ultimately he submitted his explanation on 4-12-1969. Also, the plaintiff was personally heard by the Board of Directors on 5-12-1969, before the order of termination was passed against him. It is lastly pleaded in the written statement that the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to try the suit.
5. On the basis of the pleadings of the parties, following issues were framed by the trial court :(i) Whether this Court has no jurisdiction to try the suit?
(ii) Whether the order, terminating the services of the plaintiff is illegal?
(iii) Whether the Court had no jurisdiction to try the suit? (It appears that this issue is framed twice).
(iv) Whether the suit is bad for non-joinder of necessary parties?
(v) Whether the suit is barred by limitation?
(vi) To what relief, if any, the plaintiff is entitled?
The trial court, after recording the evidence and hearing the parties, held that it had jurisdiction to try the suit. It further found that the impugned order of termination was illegal. The trial court held that the suit was not barred by limitation nor was it bad for non-joinder of necessary parties, though there is mis-joinder of defendant no.2, State. With these findings, the trial court decreed the suit, declaring that the impugned order of terminating the services of petitioner, passed by defendant no. 1 is illegal. Aggrieved by said judgment and decree dated 11-11-1978, defendant no.1, i.