Reserved CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, JABALPUR BENCH CIRCUIT SITTINGS: BILASPUR Original Application No.203/00044/2022 Bilaspur, this Tuesday, the 11^th day of November, 2025 HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE AKHIL KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE SMT. MALLIKA ARYA, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER

1. P Padmavathi w/o Late P Rama Rao aged about 40 years presently unemployed rio Village Sanpalavanipeta, Etcherla Mandal, Amadalvalsa One Way Junction District Srikakulum AP 532410

2. P. Karthik S/o Late P Rama Rao aged about 21 years presently unemployed r/o Village Sanpalavanipeta, Etcherla Mandal, Amadalvalsa One Way Junction District Srikakulum AP 532410 D D i a g t i e ta : l 2 y 0 s 2 i 5 g . n 1 e 1 d .1 b 9 y RAJUL NAMDEO -Applicants

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(By Advocate –SHRI A.V.SHRIDHAR)

V e r s u s

1. Union of India - Through- General Manager, South East Central Railway, New GM Building, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 495004

2. Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Divisional Office South East Central Railway, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 495004

3. Senior Divisional Personnel Manager, South East Central Railway, Raipur Division, Raipur (C.G.) 492008

4. Divisional Engineer (TRD), South East Central Railway, Raipur Division, Raipur (C.G.) 492008 - Respondents (By Advocate –SHRI BHUPENDRA PANDEY)

O R D E R BY JUSTICE AKHIL KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, JM:-

The applicant is aggrieved by the order dated 08.07.2020, whereby the respondents have declined to annul the punishment imposed on the husband of the applicant No.1.

2. The brief facts of the case is that the husband of the applicant No.1 was working as Technician-II in the office of respondent department and was issued with a charge memo on 26.03.2014 for unauthorized absence from duty from 02.05.2013 to Digitaly signed by RAJUL NAMDEO Date: 2025.11.19

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03.03.2014 and onwards. The husband of applicant No. 1 left his native place for joining the duties and when he did not reach Bhatapara to join the duties the applicant No. 1 inquired about the whereabouts of her husband and when no information was received the applicant No. 1 approached the Police Station Bhatapara in order to seek assistance from Police however the police at PS- Bhatapara informed the applicant No. 1 that since the husband of the applicant No. 1 was last seen at his native place they cannot register a First Information Report and directed the applicant No.1 to approach the police at her native place and assure all assistance as and when required. The applicant No. 1 continued her search for her missing husband and continued to intimate the authorities with regard to her missing husband and submitted that the registration of FIR may take some more time and in the meanwhile requested the authorities to drop the Inquiry Proceedings. A copy of intimation dated 25.07.2014 and 08.09.2014 are filed and marked herewith as Annexure A/3. After due investigation the police at Amdalavalasa Police Station registered an FIR and the applicant no. 1 informed the authorities with regard to registration of FIR. Meanwhile without considering the requests of the applicant no. 1 the inquiry against the husband of the applicant no. 1 proceeded ex-parte and order of imposition of punishment of removal from service vide Digitaly signed by RAJUL NAMDEO Date: 2025.11.19

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Annexure A/1 was imposed on the missing husband of the applicant No. 1. The applicant No. 1 preferred an appeal before the Competent Authority for setting aside the punishment of removal from service vide her appeal dated 05.02.2015. The respondents rejected the appeal of the applicant vide order dated 18.01.2017 (Annexure A-2).

3. The respondents have filed their reply wherein they have contended that the applicant is widow of Late Shri P.RamaRao, who was working in the post of Technician under Senior Section Engineer (OHE) Bhatapara S.E.C. Rly Raipur. The husband of applicant No.1 was unauthorized absent from duty since 02.05.2013 to 03.03.2014 and till date without intimation or informatio