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Orissa High Court · body

2011 DIGILAW 195 (ORI)

Monalisa Behera v. State of Orissa and two

2011-03-28

B.K.MISRA, B.P.DAS

body2011
ORDER 28.03.2011 — Heard learned counsel for the petitioner. The petitioner, who was working as a Part Time Guest Instructor on contractual basis has filed this writ application challenging the order dated 1.2.2011 passed by opposite party no.3 in Annexure-11 on the allegation that the said order has been passed without following the principles of natural justice. As it appears, order in Annexure-11 has been passed on the allegation that the petitioner has not maintained or followed any lesson plan or progress plan. Her teaching skill was not up to the mark, for which she had been disallowed to take the classes with effect from 2.2.2011 and her engagement in that institution was cancelled. According to learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner had not been given an opportunity of hearing to defend her case or to present her part of defence before the authority. We would have issued notice in this case, but we find from the impugned order that the said order, which is dated 1.2.2011 has been passed pursuant to a surprise inspection made on 31.1.2011. As the order impugned has been passed on the next day of the inspection without affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, we are of the opinion, even if the petitioner is not a regular employee, the principle of natural justice demands that the authority should have afforded an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner before taking action which would ultimately involve civil consequence and prejudicially affect the petitioner (See : Smt. Meneka Gandhi v. Union of India and another, AIR 1978 SC 597 ). In view of such, we set aside the order No. 252 dated 1.2.2011 passed by the Principal, Industrial Training Institute, Rourkela in Annexure-11 and direct the Principal to allow the petitioner to join in her engagement. At the same time we direct the petitioner that if there is any mistake on her part, she shall rectify herself and act according to the direction and rule, which she has to follow while working in contractual basis. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy. Petition disposed of.