CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL CHANDIGARH BENCH Original Application No.060/235/2024 Pronounced on: 17.12.2025 Reserved on: 08.12.2025 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. SURESH KUMAR BATRA, MEMBER (J)

HON’BLE MRS. RASHMI SAXENA SAHNI, MEMBER (A)

Sh. Jagmal Singh, s/o Sh. Shimru Ram, aged 52 years, r/o House No.

361. Ward No. 9, Jaman Pana, Gharaunda, Karnal, Haryana. (Group-C)

... Applicant By Advocate: Mr. K.B. Sharma Versus

1. Union of India through its Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Communication, Department of Posts India, Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001.

2. The Chief Postmaster General, Haryana Circle, Ambala, Haryana-

133001.

3. Director Postal Services (Head Quarter), Haryana, Circle, Ambala-

133001.

4. The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Karnal Division, Karnal, Haryana-132001.

Digitally signed by ... .Respondents By Advocate: Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Sr. CGSC

O R D E R

Per: SURESH KUMAR BATRA MEMBER (J):-

1. The present Original Application has been filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 seeking the following relief:-

(i) That Order dated Annexure 21.06.2023/14.06.2023 (Annexure A-1). Memo dated 18.08.2021 (Annexure A-2) and Memo dated 23.08.2021 (Annexure A-3) be quashed and set aside.

(ii) That this Court may declare the put off duty/suspension period of the applicant as illegal and void.

iii) That the respondents be directed to revoke the order of put off duty/suspension of the applicant and consequently, to reinstate the applicant in service forthwith.

iv) That the applicant be held entitled to all consequential benefits and the pay and allowance for the intervening period of suspension till his reinstatement in accordance with FR 54-B.

2. The facts of the case, in brief, are that the applicant had initially joined service with the respondent department as an Extra Departmental Runner on 18.03.1995. Subsequently, the post of Extra Departmental Delivery Agent was re-designated as Gramin Dak Sewak, and the applicant was accordingly re-designated as Gramin Dak Sewak Digitally signed by Branch Post Master, with effect from 01.01.2016 and the said post was further re-designated as Branch Post Master.

3. In the year 2021, while the applicant was working as Branch Post Master at Shekhpura Khalso under Gharaunda Sub Office, he was placed under put off duty with immediate effect in contemplation of disciplinary proceedings by the Sub Divisional Inspector (West), Karnal, by invoking the powers under Rule 12 of the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, vide memo dated 18.08.2021 (Annexure A-2). The said order dated 18.08.2021 was confirmed by respondent no. 4 vide memo dated 23.08.2021(Annexure A-3). By the same order, it was directed that the applicant would draw compensation as ex-gratia payment equal to 25% of his TRCA together with admissible dearness allowance thereon from the date of put off duty till 90 days under Rule 12(3) of the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020.

4. The applicant submitted that as per the rules, respondent no. 4 was required to review the put off duty period of the applicant before the expiry of 90 days. However, without reviewing the suspension and without passing any order to that effect, respondent no. 4 merely reviewed the allowances payable to the applicant during the suspension period vide memo dated 19.03.2022 (Annexure A-4 colly), whereby it was ordered that the applicant would continue to draw compensation at the same rate as already allowed.

5. While placing he applicant under put off duty, he was neither issued any prior notice nor informed about the allegations levelled against him, therefore, he submitted a legal notice dated 01.09.2022 Digitally (Annexure A-5) seeking information regarding the allegations and requesting an opportunity of hearing to enable him to submit his defence. In response thereto, respondent no. 4 replied vide letter dated

06.09.2022(Annexure A-6), alleging that the applicant had admitted the irregularity in his statement dated 18.08.202