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2022 Supreme(MP) 685

High Court of Madhya Pradesh
Ravi Malimath, Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, JJ.
S. C. RAMPAL – APPELLANT
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. – RESPONDENTS
W. P. No. 5845 of 2006
Decided On : 16-03-2022

Advocates appeared :
For the Appellant : Sankalp Kochar, Siddharth Shrivastava

Headnote:(A) National Cadet Corps Act, 1948 - Sections 11 and Rules 38(1)(b), 38(2) - Disciplinary proceedings - Charges of unauthorized absence and disobedience of lawful orders lead to dismissal of the petitioner's application against the orders of inquiry and disciplinary authority - Petitioner failed to report to new posting, attended inquiry only once, and did not provide justifiable grounds for absence - High Court affirms that findings of inquiry are not arbitrary or perverse, upholding due process in disciplinary action (Paras 2-10).

(B) Principles of Natural Justice - The petitioner was given ample opportunity to present his case; the inquiry was conducted properly, and arguments regarding denial of subsistence allowance and assistance of counsel were found unsubstantiated (Paras 10-12).

(C) The burden remains on the petitioner to prove any errors in procedural fairness or merit of charges, which he failed to do (Paras 8-10).

Facts of the case:
The petitioner, a commanding officer, challenged disciplinary actions for failing to report to his new posting, resulting in a lengthy absence and subsequent charges leading to his dismissal from service.

Findings of Court:
The petitioner was found guilty of all charges after inquiry proceedings where he was given multiple opportunities but attended only once.

Issues: The main issues included whether the inquiry was conducted fairly, the validity of charges, and the propriety of the disciplinary actions taken against the petitioner.

Ratio Decidendi: The court found no reason to interfere with the disciplinary administration's findings, affirming the importance of adherence to proper procedure and personal accountability in military conduct.

Result: Petition dismissed.

Table of Content
1. challenge to disciplinary actions based on transfer and absence. (Para 1 , 2)
2. allegations regarding improper inquiry process. (Para 3)
3. inquiry process followed established legal principles. (Para 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9)
4. legal standards for reviewing inquiry findings. (Para 10 , 11 , 12)
5. final order dismissing the writ petition. (Para 13)

ORDER PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J. : – The instant petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the order dated 28-7-2005, passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur Bench, Jabalpur in Original Application No. 633 of 2004, whereby, the Original Application of the petitioner has been dismissed.

2. The brief facts of the case are that when the petitioner was posted at Bhopal as officiating Commanding Officer of 1 Madhya Pradesh Navel Unit NCC, Bhopal, he was transferred vide order dated 5-4-1990 to Changnacherry (Kerala). The petitioner on 5-5-1990 made representation against his transfer to DG NCC, New Delhi. On his representation, DG NCC, vide order dated 11-6-1990 changed the place of posting from Changnacherry to Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The petitioner challenged the said order in Original Application No. 489/1990 before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jabalpur, Bench at Jabalpur and vide order dated 3-7-1990 it was directed that in case the petitioner has not been relieved from Bhopal as on that date, he was not to be relieved to join his new place of posting, until the petitioner’s designated successor at Bhopal arrives to take charge of his post. Since the petitioner did not hand over the charge to the designated officer Lieutenant Colonel Balwant Singh and subsequent officer Wing Commander A. K. Singh, therefore, he was issued GENFORM dated 30-6-1990 and his name was struck off from the strength of 1 Madhya Pradesh Navel Unit NCC, Bhopal w.e.f. 1-7-1990. He was required to report to his unit by 12-7-1990, but he reported to his new Unit on 25-8-1992. As a result, he remained absent for more than 2 years i.e. from 13-7-1990 to 25-8-1992. A charge-sheet dated 29-3-1993 was issued to the petitioner under sub-Rule (1) of Rule 40 of the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as the “NCC Act of 1948”). Along with the charge-sheet, the memorandum of Article of charges were also served upon him. The petitioner submitted his reply on 20-4-1993 denying all the charges. On 25-8-1993, Col Abdul Kader, GP Cdr, NCC Group Headquarters, Kakinada under the command of Deputy DG NCC, NCC Directorate (A.P.), Secunderabad was appointed as the Inquiry Officer. The petitioner was given opportunity of hearing during the enquiry. He attended the departmental enquiry only on 27-12-1993 and remained absent on all other dates. On 5-3-1994, the Inquiry Officer closed the enquiry ex parte and submitted his report to the Disciplinary Authority holding the petitioner guilty of all three charges. A copy of the report was sent by the Disciplinary Authority to the petitioner on 27-6-1994. The petitioner submitted his comments on 21-7-1994. The Disciplinary Authority vide order dated 20-6-1995, concurred with the findings of Inquiry Officer and, petitioner’s guilt was found to be proved under section 11 of the NCC Act of 1948 and under Rule 38(1)(b) and 38(2) of the National Cadet Corps Rules, 1948. The petitioner thereafter preferred an appeal before the Government of India, Ministry of Defence which was also dismissed vide order dated 28-7-2003. The petitioner therefore, challenged both the orders before CAT, Jabalpur and, vide impugned order, the petition filed by the petitioner has been dismissed. Hence, the petitioner is in the instant writ petition.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that during the period of suspension of the petitioner, the subsistence allowance was not paid; examination of the witnesses was not in correct order; essential documents were not supplied; Inquiry Officer has acted as a prosecutor; there was a den

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