2006 Supreme(MP) 545

2007(1) JLJ 429
Shantanu Kemkar, J.
Ramprasad Mandai v. Regional Manager, Central Bank of India,
Shahdol and others
Writ Petition No. 4079 of 1994 (Jabalpur); Decided on 20.4.2006.

Headnote:(1) Civil Servant -- departmental enquiry -- respondents asked to produce relevant documents – requested for time on a number of occasions to produce such documents -- closing of enquiry without production of such documents, amounts to denial of fair opportunity to petitioner.

       The petitioner contends that on receipt of his reply to the memos issued to him, the respondents did not take any action for considerable long period. In view of this delay he contends that the respondents could not have issued him the charge-sheet on the basis of stale material. He alleges that the respondents proceeded in the enquiry in a hot haste manner denying him a reasonable, effective and adequate opportunity to defend his case and lead evidence. The petitioner further alleges that in spite of repeated directions of the enquiry officer and in spite of seeking time to produce the relevant documents demanded by him, the Presenting Officer appearing for the respondents did not produce the same. He contends that the enquiry officer, without waiting for the said material and important documents, closed the enquiry, thereby caused great prejudice to him. He submits that though the matter was adjourned for several occasions for recording the evidence of the respondents but he was not afforded even breathing time by the enquiry officer to produce his material witnesses. The petitioner also contends that the disciplinary authority, although agreeing with the findings of the enquiry officer on other points, held that the charge No.7, reported to be partly proved, was rather fully proved, then before recording its own finding on such charge it ought to have recorded its tentative reasons for such disagreement and ought to have given him an opportunity to represent. The petitioner alleges that the appellate authority has dismissed the appeal mechanically by a non-speaking order. [Para 3

       Held: The petitioner requested for supply of various documents including 100% audit report on the basis of which the charge-sheet was issued to him. The respondents on number of occasions requested for grant of time to produce documents. The enquiry proceedings reveal that the enquiry officer did not reject the petitioner‘s prayer to produce the said documents from the respondents. It was also not the case that the documents were being demanded as a dilly-dally tactics on the part of the petitioner or his intention was to stall the enquiry by any means. In this background, the closing of the enquiry without getting the documents produced on record amounts to denial of fair opportunity to the petitioner. [Para 8

       (2) Civil Servant -- departmental enquiry -- material witnesses not allowed to be examined -- principles of natural justice failed to be observed. [Para 9

       (3) Civil Servant -- departmental enquiry -- enquiry authority finding one charge not proved n disciplinary authority, without giving opportunity of hearing, cannot reverse such finding -- it amounts to denial of opportunity of hearing and violation of principles of natural justice. (1998)7 SCC 84, AIR 1999 SC 3734 and (2003)2 SCC 449 followed. [Para 10

       (4) Appeal -- against order of dismissal from service n authority is required to consider grounds raised by delinquent employee -- order should be a reasoned one -- else liable to be quashed. [Para 11

       (5) Civil Servant -- departmental enquiry -- delay successfully explained -- charge-sheet and disciplinary proceedings cannot be quashed. [Para 6

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