S. Natarajan v. The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli and others
1974-04-29
A.VARADARAJAN, K.VEERASWAMI
body1974
DigiLaw.ai
Veeraswami, C. J.- ‘The order sought to be quashed is not in accordance with “rule 54 of the Fundamental Rules. The appellant, on certain charges, underwent on enquiry, and, eventually, he was compulsorily retired. But that -order was successfully challenged in a writ petition. Consequently, a second enquiry was held at which it was found that the appellant was not guilty of the charges. Thereafter, an order was passed as follows: ”S.I. 899/Tin. (Old No. 580/Tin) Natarajan, who is deemed to be under suspension from 20th February, 1964 is released from suspension. He should report for duty forthwith. 2. The period of suspension will be treated as eligible leave. 3. If he fails to report for duty within 21 days of receipt of this order, action will be taken to strike him off as a deserter.“ Apparently, this order was made by a competent authority namely, the District Superintendent of Police. The order was, dated 17th April, 1969. This order was evidently made on the basis of an order which accepted the finding of the second Enquiry Officer. That order, as we find from the counter-affidavit filed for the State, said: “The finding is accepted and action dropped. The period of suspension will be treated as eligible leave.” The learned Judge, who considered the matter on the certiorari side, thought that the appellant was asking for money relief end, therefore, he declined to interferee. 2. With due respect, we are unable to share the view of the learned Judge In the petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, the prayer was to call for the records in the proceedings concerned and to have the order, dated 17th April 1969 quashed. That is not asking for a direction to pay money. The appellant’s claim is that in view of the fact that the second Enquiry Officer’s finding was accepted without any remarks, his case would come within the purview of rule 54 (2) of the Fundamental Rules. On the other hand, for the Government it is stated that the order was made ‘under clause (3) of that rule.
The appellant’s claim is that in view of the fact that the second Enquiry Officer’s finding was accepted without any remarks, his case would come within the purview of rule 54 (2) of the Fundamental Rules. On the other hand, for the Government it is stated that the order was made ‘under clause (3) of that rule. If that was the case, it was necessary for the Officer who made the order to have recorded a finding that the appellant had not been completely exonerated, which was not the case As a matter of fact, the order, which, is extracted in the counter-affidavit, shows that the second Enquiry Officer’s report that the appellant was not guilty was accepted without any observation or limitation or condition. We should, therefore take it that the appellant was completely, exonerated. If that be so, he would be entitled to come under rule 54 (2) of the Fundamental Rules. The plea that the Officer had jurisdiction to pass the order he did only shows lack of appreciation on his part of the position that in order to assume jurisdiction to pass an order under clause (3) of rule 54 he must record a finding that the appellant had not been completely exonerated. Also, we find that before such an order was made no opportunity was given to the appellant which is required by the principles of natural justice. 3. We allow the appeal, quash the order, dated 17th April, 1969, and direct that the appellant’s period of suspension will be treated as on duty under rule 54(2) of the Fundamental Rules. It is needles to point out that consequences of this order will follow, namely, the liability of the State to pay the appellant his full pay and allowances. The appellant will be entitled to his costs in both the writ petition and in this Court. Counsel’s fee Rs. 100 in each.