Employment procured through the suppression of material facts or misrepresentation is voidable at the option of the employer, and such termination does not necessitate a prior hearing as the appointment itself is contrary to policy.

Order on Board

1. The petitioner has challenged the order dated 24.12.2021 (Annexure P/1) issued by District Education Officer, Janjgir Champa, whereby the services of the petitioner were terminated from the post of Assistant Grade-03.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the father of the petitioner who was posted as Head Master at Government Primary School Kapan, District Janjgir Champa died in harness on 1.5.2021. He would further submit that the petitioner moved an application for compassionate appointment before the respondent authorities, which was accepted and an appointment order was issued in favour of the petitioner on 31.5.2021. Pursuant to the said order, the petitioner joined services. He would also submit that a false complaint was made to the respondent authorities and consequently the services of the petitioner were terminated vide order dated 24.12.2021 on the ground that his mother is in Government service and this fact was concealed by the petitioner in the application for grant of compassionate appointment as well as in the affidavit. He would contend that the mother of the petitioner was staying separately prior to the death of his father and she never provided financial assistance to the petitioner. He would argue that before termination of services, no opportunity of hearing was afforded to the petitioner; therefore, the order dated 24.12.2021 is bad in law and liable to be quashed.

3. On the other hand, learned State counsel would oppose the submission made by counsel for the petitioner and submit that Clause 6(A) of the policy for compassionate appointment, was inserted on 29.08.2016, which provides that if any family member of the deceased Government servant is already in Government service, no other family member is eligible for compassionate appointment. He would contend that while considering an application for compassionate appointment, the authority does not envisage any inquiry into the financial condition of the family members of the deceased Government servant and eligibility has to be decided strictly as per the policy. He would contend submit that as per Clause 2 of the order of appointment, if any information in the application or affidavit is found to be false, the appointment order shall be cancelled. He would argue that the petitioner concealed the fact of employment of his mother in the application form as well as in the affidavit; therefore, the services of the petitioner were terminated and there is no infirmity in the order impugned. He would further argue that to ascertain the financial condition of the family, no inquiry is required. He has placed reliance on a decision rendered in the matter of State of Sagar vs. Munna Bhai passed in Writ Appeal No. 33 of 2022, by the Hon’ble Divison Bench, wherein it has been held that the policy does not envisage any inquiry into the financial condition of the family of the deceased Government servant and, therefore, there was no need to conduct any inquiry.

4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents placed on file.

5. In the matter of Ram Ratan Yadav [ Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan v. Ram Ratan Yadav , (2003) 3 SCC 437 : 2003 SCC (Cri) 306 : 2003 SCC (L&S) 306], the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that

"suppression of material information and making a false statement has a clear bearing on the character and antecedents of the employee in relation to his continuance in service. A candidate having suppressed the material information an