JUDGMENT : 1. The matter has been heard via video conferencing. 2. Heard Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Dinesh Maharaj, for the State. 3. From the order dated 09.04.2021, it appears that learned Additional Advocate General has assured this Court that he would personally look into the matter and ensure filing of supplementary counter affidavit in the next date fixed. The order dated 09.04.2021 is quoted below for ready reference:- "Mr. P.K. Verma, learned Additional Advocate General informs this Court that on the previous occasion, direction was issued to respondent no. 4 to file supplementary counter affidavit but needful was not done. He submits that in 2010 matters, he will personally look into the issue and file counter affidavit latest by 24th of April, 2021 so that the writ application may be finally disposed of. It is to be noted here that the petitioner has been inflicted major punishment in the departmental proceeding during the pendency of the criminal case for the same set of charges. In the departmental proceeding neither any witness has been examined nor any document was proved to substantiate the charge. It has been brought on record by was of reply to the counter affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has been acquitted in criminal case vide judgment dated 30.11.2018(Annexure-11). In the circumstances, Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the order inflicting major punishment upon the petitioner is not sustainable in view of the law laid down by the Apex Court in the case of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. Vs. Girja Shankar Pant & Others reported in [ (2001) 1 SCC 182 ] and the order relating to major punishment is unsustainable for non-adherence to the prescribed rule to conduct departmental proceeding particularly in view of the fact that on the same set of facts in criminal case, petitioner has been acquitted by the competent court. Put up this case on 26.04.2021 to enable the respondents to file counter affidavit." 4. Mr. Dinesh Maharaj, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents would submits that departmental proceeding is different from the criminal proceeding and both the proceedings can be proceeded simultaneously. Put up this case on 26.04.2021 to enable the respondents to file counter affidavit." 4. Mr. Dinesh Maharaj, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents would submits that departmental proceeding is different from the criminal proceeding and both the proceedings can be proceeded simultaneously. He refers to the writ petition as well as counter affidavit and submits that departmental proceeding was conducted in accordance with the procedure prescribed for conduct of the departmental proceeding. He refers to memo no. 2812 dated 18.05.2005 (Annexure-4) which reflects that the departmental proceeding has been initiated against the petitioner and the Under Secretary, Road Construction Department, Government of Bihar has been appointed as Presenting Officer. The Presenting Officer was present during the enquiry and after thorough enquiry, the Enquiry Officer returned the finding of guilt against the petitioner. 5. Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would submits that in the instant case, in the criminal proceeding, the petitioner has been acquitted by the competent court but major punishment was inflicted upon the petitioner in the departmental proceeding which was only a mere formality as no witness was examined and no document was proved in the departmental proceeding. He submits that the Enquiry Officer proceeded with the enquiry is based on document but no document was proved in the departmental proceeding. Mr. Singh has highlighted the infirmity in the conduct of the departmental proceeding. He submits that the Enquiry Officer proceeded with the enquiry is based on document but no document was proved in the departmental proceeding. Mr. Singh has highlighted the infirmity in the conduct of the departmental proceeding. The enquiry report is Annexure-8 to the writ petition which is quoted below for ready reference:- Jh NksVw izlkn] rRdkyhu duh; vfHk;ark] jk"Vªh; xzkeh.k fodkl dk;ZØe njHkaxk] lEizfr duh; vfHk;ark] xzkeh.k vfHk;a=.k laxBu] fcjkSy iz[kaM] njHkaxk ds fo:) foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds lapkyu ds i'pkr izfrosnuA iFk fuekZ.k foHkkx ds dk;kZy; vkns'k la0&65 fnukad 18-05-05 lgifBu Kkikad 2812 ¼,l½ fnukad 18-05-05 ds }kjk Jh NksVw izlkn] duh; vfHk;ark ds fo:) foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh pykus ,oa izfrosnu lefiZr djus ds fy;s funZs'k fn;k x;k gSA izkIr funZs'k ds vkyksd esa duh; vfHk;ark Jh izlkn us viuk cpko c;ku izLrqr djus ds fy;s bl dk;kZy; ds fofHkUu i=ksa }kjk fnukad 03-06-2005 ,oa 06-09-2005 dks foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh esa mifLFkr gksdj izfrosnu nsus gsrq lwfpr fd;k x;k gSA i= xyr irk gksus ds dkj.k foHkkx esa okil ykSV vk;kA blh Øe esa fnukad 03-10-05 dks esjs dk;kZy; izdks"B esa Jh izlkn mifLFkr gq;s rFkk muds }kjk lwfpr fd;k x;k gS fd fo/kku lHkk dk;Z esa O;Lr jgus ds dkj.k i= mUgsa ugha izkIr gqvkA i= dks izfrfyfi layXu dh tkrh gSA muds vuqjks/k ij fnukad 29-10-05 dks dk;kZy; esa mifLFkr gksdj viuk izfrosnu lefiZr djus gsrq lwfpr fd;k x;kA Jh izlkn fnukad 29-10-05 dks mifLFkr gq;s vkSj viuk cpko o;ku izLrqr fd;k ftldh ,d izfr layXu dks tkrh gSA bl cpko o;ku ds lkFk muds }kjk vius dFku ds lk[; esa dksbZ vfHkys[k layXu ugha fd;k x;kA muds }kjk lwfpr fd;k x;k fd vxyh frfFk dks lkjs fcUnqvksa ij lk[; ds lkFk izfrosnu lefiZr djsaxsaA Jh izlkn dks fnukad 26-11-05 rd izfrosnu izLrqr djus ds fy;s lwfpr fd;k x;kA Jh izlkn mDr frfFk dks mifLFkr gq;s ij dksbZ izfrosnu ugha fn;s rFkk muds }kjk dgk x;k fd vxyh frfFk dks viuk izfrosnu nsaxsa bl i= dh izfrfyfi layXu dh tkrh gSA iqu% fnukad 17-12-05 dks foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds lapkyu esa mifLFkr gksdj viuk cpko o;ku izLrqr fd;s gSa] ftldh izfr layXu dh tkrh gSA Jh NksVw izlkn ds }kjk vius cpko o;ku esa vkjksi la[;k&1] vkjksi la[;k&3 ,oa vkjksi la[;k&5 ij viuk izfrosnu fn;s gSaA foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds lapkyu ds nkSjku izLrqfrdj.k inkf/kdkjh Hkh yxkrkj ---------------- Jh NksVw izlkn ds cpko c;ku esa tc dksbZ lk{; ugha fn;k x;k rks iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh] dhjriqj njHkaxk ls bl dk;kZy; ds i=kad 2695 bZ fnukad 23-12-05 ls fofHkUu fcUnqvksa ij lwpuk dh ekax dh x;hA lkFk gh lkFk Jh izlkn dks 22-01-06 ,oa 18-02-06 dks mifLFkr gksdj viuk cpko o;ku lefiZr djus gsrq lwfpr fd;k x;kA blesa ls ,d i= dk i=kad 269 ¼bZ½ fnukad 23-12-2005 ykSV vk;k tcfd i=kad 268 bZ fnukad 27-01-06] ftlesa Jh izlkn dks fnukad 18-02-06 dks mifLFkr gksdj viuk c;ku izLrqr djus ds fy;s cqyk;k x;k Fkk og ugha ykSVk vkSj u gha Jh izlkn gha mifLFkr gq;sA iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh dhjriqj ds }kjk okafNr izfrosnu ugha fn;k x;k rks bl dk;kZy; ds i=kad 268 bZ fnukad 27-01-06 ls Lekfjr fd;k x;kA mDr ftrus Hkh i=kpkj fd;s x;s gSa mu i=ksa dks izfr milfpo ¼fuxjkuh½ dks nh tkrh jgh gSA blh dze esa milfpo lg eq[; fuxjkuh inkf/kdkjh ds i=kad 5363 ¼,l½ fnukad 24-05-06 esa iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh] dhjriqj dks ,d izfrosnu miyC/k djk;k x;k gS ftldh ,d izfr layXu gSA Jh NksVw izlkn ds fo:) xfNr vkjksi ,oa lefiZr cpko o;ku tks fcuk lk{; ds fn;k x;k gS rFkk iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh dhjriqj ls izkIr izfrosnu ds vuqlkj vkjksiokj izfrosnu vafdr fd;k tkrk gS%& vkjksi la[;k &1& o"kZ 2001 esa tc vki dhjriqj iz[kaM esa inLFkkfir dks] ml le; xzke iapk;r ढkSlk eqlgfj;k] j?kqukFkiqj jke[ksrfj;k] pdyk] [kcjnksiqj] y{ehiqj] >dksjok esa ljdkj dh vksj ls o"kZ 2001 esa vk;s ckढ ,oa mlls gq, {kfr ds fy;s jkgr ds jde esa lok pkj lkS fDoaVy xsgwWa vkSj lok yk[k uxn Hkqxrku djus gsrq feyk Fkk rFkk mlds forj.k ds fy;s Jh dey gksnk eqf[k;k] Jh jkedj.k flag iapk;r lsod] Jh eks0 ukS'kkn tulsod rFkk vkidks izHkkjh cuk;k x;k FkkA bl vkjksi ds laca/k esa dguk gS fd Jh izlkn ds inLFkkiu dky esa dkSjriqj iz[kaM ds xzke iapk;r jkt ढkSlk] eqlgfj;k] j?kqukFkiqj] jke[ksrfj;k] pdyk] cjnhiqj] y{ehiqj] ddksjok esa ljdkj dh vksj ls o"kZ 2001 esa vk;s okn ,oa mlls {kfr ds fy;s jkgr ds jde esa lok pkj lkS fDoaVy xsgwWa vkSj ,d yk[k iphl gtkj :i;k uxn Hkqxrku djus gsrq feyk FkkA mlds forj.k ds fy;s Jh dey gksnk] eqf[k;k] Jh jkedj.k flag] iapk;r lsod ,oa Jh eks0 ukS'kkn tulsod rFkk blds izHkkjh NksVw izlkn duh; vfHk;ark FksA muds cpko o;ku ls Li"V gks tkrk gS fd bl dk;Z ds izHkkjh Jh NksVw izlkn FksA vr% vkjksi izekf.kr gSA vkjksi la[;k 2] 3 ,oa 4 & 2- jkgr forj.k gsrq ckढ izHkkfor yksxksa dh lwph okMZ lnL;ksa ds gLrk{kj ds mijkar Jh dey gksnk] tSuwy vonhu eqf[k;k ढkSlk dks xzkeh.kksa }kjk miyC/k djk;k x;k Fkk rFkk mldh tkudkjh vki lcksa dks nh x;h FkhA 3 eqf[k;k] iapk;r lsod] tulsod ,oa vkids }kjk xzkeh.k turk dks cjkcj vk'oklu fn;k x;k fd jkgr forj.k gksus okyk gS] ijarq mDr lkeku iz[kaM eq[;ky; ls mBkdj ykus ds ckotwn mudk forj.k ugha dj vki lcksa ds }kjk feyhHkxr dj "kM;a= jpdj ,oa ,djkj dj lok pkj lkS fDoaVy xsgwWa ,oa lok yk[k :i;k uxn dks tkyh vaxwBk nsdj tkyh fjfyQ dk Hkkmpj cuk dj :i;k ,oa xsgwWa vkil esa canjckaV dj xzkeh.kksa dks jkgr ls oafNr dj [kwn uktk;t ykHk igqWapk;kA 4- o"kZ 2001 dks ckn esa xzke iapk;r jkt ढkSlk tekyiqj esa ckढ lgk;rk enesa 200 nks lkS fDoaVy xsgwWa ,oa uxn vuqnku jkf'k 1]05]250@& :i;k ds forj.k esa vfu;ferrk laca/kh izkIr ifjokn dks iqu% tkWp fnukad 5-09-02 dks ftyk vkiwfrZ inkf/kdkjh njHkaxk ls djk;h x;hA ftyk vkiwfrZ inkf/kdkjh ds i=kad 976 fnukad 20-09-02 }kjk mDr ekeyk esa izkIr tkWap izfrosnu esa ;g fufgr Fkk fd forj.k dh x;h dkjZokbZ lansgkLin gS ,oa xsgwWa rFkk uxn forj.k ds vfHkJo dks lR;kfir djus okys inkf/kdkjh@deZpkjh ds fo:) fof/k lEer dkjZokbZ dh tk;A bl laca/k esa tekyiqj Fkkuk dkaM la 22@2002 ds vUrxZr ntZ izkFkfedksa esa vkidks Hkh vkjksih cuk;k x;k gSA bl laca/k esa Jh izlkn dk dguk gS fd jkt ढkSlk iapk;r vUrxZr ढkSlk] eqlgfj;k j?kqukFkiqj] jke[kksrfj;k] pdyk] cjnhiqj y{ehiqj ,oa ddksjok vofLFkr gSaA xzke iapk;r ढkSlk ds rRdkyhu iapk;r lsod lg iapk;r lfpo Jh jke dj.k flag }kjk ek= xzke ढkSlk ds ckn ihfM+rksa ds fy;s uxn jkf'k forj.k gsrq 421 ifjokj dh lwph iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh dhjriqj ds le{k lefiZr dh x;hA iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh dhjriqj }kjk lefiZr lwph ds vuqeksnuksijkar xzke ढkSlk esa iz[kaM dhjriqj vuqJo.k lfefr ds v/;{k eks0 vkye] xzke iapk;r ढkSlk ds iapk;r eqf[k;k Jh dey gkSnk iapk;r lsod lg iapk;r lfpo Jh jke dj.k flag ,oa xzke iapk;r ढkSlk ds lkekftd dk;ZdrkZ eks0 tykyqnnhu dks mifLFkfr esa iapk;r lsod lg iapk;r lfpo Jh jke dj.k flag ,oa iapk;r eqf[k;k Jh dey gksnk ds }kjk igpku djus ,oa vaxwBk fu'kku ysus ds mijkar dqy 105250@& :i;k 421 ckढ+ ihfM+rksa ds chp forj.k fd;k x;kA vfHkJo ij mijksDr lHkh dk gLrk{kj lR;kiu djk fy;k x;kA Jh izlkn }kjk ;g dgk x;k gS fd fnukad 10-10-2001 dks 125000 :i;k dk vfxze muds }kjk izkIr fd;k x;k] ftlesa 105250@& :i;k uxn ढkSlk xzke esa gha forj.k fd;k gS is'k jkf'k 19750@& :i;k dqcksynkgk xzke iapk;r esa forfjr fd;k x;kA 425 fDoaVy xsgwWa ds laca/k es muds }kjk dgk x;k gS fd bldh tkudkjh mUgsa ugha gSA dhjriqj iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh }kjk lwfpr fd;k x;k gS fd iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh ds }kjk vuqeksfnr lwph ds vuqlkj xzke ढkSlk esa gksa 421 ckढ+ ihfM+ar ifjokjksa ds chp jkf'k forj.k dh x;h vkSj 'ks"k 19750@& :i;k dqcksynkgk iapk;r esa okMZ 1 ds dqcksyxzke esa ckढ ihfM+rksa ds chp ckaVk x;kA tc ljdkj dh vksj ls xzke iapk;r ढkSlk vUrxZr xazke ढkSlk] eqlgfj;k] j?kwukFkiqj jke[kksrfj;k pdyk] cjnhiqj] y{ehiqj ddksjok esa ckढ+ ihfM+rksa ds chp jkf'k ,oa xsgwWa forj.k fd;k tkuk Fkk] rks bl vkns'k ds fo:) xzke ढkSlk esa gha yksxksa ds chp ,oa dqckSyढkMk iapk;r ds okMZ&1 ds cqckSy xkao esa forjhr fd;k x;k gSA blesa ljdkjh vkns'k dh vogsyuk gqbZ gS jkf'k vius eu ls iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh] iapk;r lsod] iapk;r eqf[k;k ,oa duh; vfHk;ark Jh izlkn ds feyhHkxr ls gks bl rjg dh vfu;ferrk gqbZ gSA bl rjg vkjksi la0 & 2] 3] ,oa 4 izekf.kr gksrk gSA vkjksi la[;k 5 vkids iz[kaM dk;kZy; dhjriqj ds inLFkkiu dky esa fofHkUu inksa esa yh x;h dqy vfxze 850764@& :i;k ds lek;kstukFkZ foi=- izLrqr ugha fd;s x;s gSaA vkidks mDr vfxze ds lek;kstukFkZ dbZ funZs'k Hkh fn;s x;s gSaA vafre funs'k fucaf/kr i= la0&1350 fnukad 24-09-02 }kjk tkjh fd;s tkus ds ckotwn vkids Lrj ls jkf'k ds lek;kstukFkZ dkjZokbZ ugha fd;s tkus ds ljdkjh jkf'k ds xou ,oa mPpkf/kdkfj;ksa ds vkns'k dk mYya?ku fd;k tkuk ifjyf{kr gksrk gSA vkjksi la[;k 5 esa Jh NksVw izlkn ij fofHkUu inksa esa fy;s x;s vfxze jkf'k 850764@& :i;s dk lek;kstu ,oa foi= izLrqr ugha djus dh ckr dgh x;h gSA blds cpko o;ku esa Jh izlkn ds }kjk dksbZ lk{; ugha fn;k x;k gS] tcfd orZeku esa iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh] dhjriqj }kjk lwfpr fd;k x;k gS fd Jh izlkn duh; vfHk;ark ds uke ij 850764@& :i;k dh jkf'k vHkh rd cdk;k gSA bl rjg ;g vkjksi Hkh izekf.kr gksrk gSA mi;qZDr vkjksi ls lacaf/kr lHkh cpko&oku dh izfr ,oa orZeku esa inLFkkfir iz[kaM fodkl inkf/kdkjh dhjriqj ds izfrosnu dks izfr layXu dh tkrh gSA fofHkUu frfFk;ksa dks i=ksa ls Jh izlkn dks bl dk;kZy; esa mifLFkr gksdj cpko o;ku izLrqr djus gsrq lwfpr fd;k x;k gS mldh izfr fuxjkuh 'kk[kk dks nh tkrh jgh gSA vr% vuqjks/k gS fd Jh izlkn ds uke ij 850764@& :i;k ds yafcr pys vk jgs jkf'k dh olwyh djrs gq;s vkxs dh dkjZokbZ dh tk;A fujatu dqekj mifuns'kd ¼dz; ,oa ifj½≶&lapkyu inkf/kdkjh iFk fuekZ.k foHkkx] fcgkj] iVukA 6. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would submits that the initiation of departmental proceeding and inflicting major punishment is based on the report of the Block Development Officer. In numerous judgments, the Apex Court has emphasized on conduct of fair departmental proceeding. Time and again, it is reiterated by the Apex Court that the fair like criminal trial has to be taken by the respondents while conducting departmental proceeding. He refers in this regard a judgment reported in AIR 1964 SC 364 (Union of India versus H.C. Goel). Paragraph 27 of the judgment is quoted below for ready reference:- "Now, in this state of the evidence, how can it be said that the respondent even attempted to offer a bribe to Mr. Rajagopalan. Mr. Rajagopalan makes a definite statement that the respondent did not offer him a bribe. He merely refers to the fact that the respondent took out a paper from his wallet and the said paper appeared to him like a hundred rupee note double folded. Undoubtedly, Mr. Rajagopalan suspected the respondent's conduct, and so, made a report immediately. But the suspicion entertained by Mr. Rajagopalan cannot, in law, be treated as evidence against the respondent even though there is no doubt that Mr. Rajagopalan is a straight-forward and an honest officer. Though we fully appreciate the anxiety of the appellant to root out corruption from public service, we cannot ignore the fact that in carrying out the said purpose, mere suspicion should not be allowed to take the place of proof even in domestic enquiries. It may be that the technical rules which govern criminal trials in courts may not necessarily apply to disciplinary proceedings, but nevertheless, the principle that in punishing the guilty scrupulous care must be taken to see that the innocent are not punished, applies as much to regular criminal trials as to disciplinary enquiries held under the statutory rules. We have very carefully considered the evidence led in the present enquiry and borne in mind the plea made by the learned Attorney-General, but we are unable to hold that on the record, there is any evidence which can sustain the finding of the appellant that charge No. 3 has been proved against the respondent. We have very carefully considered the evidence led in the present enquiry and borne in mind the plea made by the learned Attorney-General, but we are unable to hold that on the record, there is any evidence which can sustain the finding of the appellant that charge No. 3 has been proved against the respondent. It is in this connection and only incidentally that it may be relevant to add that the U.P.S.C. considered the matter twice and came to the firm decision that the main charge against the respondent had not been established." 7. It is elementary principle of law that the allegation has been proved in the departmental proceeding after compliance of principles of nature justice. The allegation will not be enough and it has to be proved in accordance with law. 8. Considering the fact that the report of the Block Development Officer was the basis for initiation of departmental proceeding against the petitioner, it was incumbent on the part of the respondents to examine the Block Development Officer for framing of the charges but that was not done. In fact not a single witness has been examined in the departmental proceeding. The petitioner has been inflicted major punishment which is not sustainable in the eyes of law. As stated above, in the criminal case, for the same set of facts, the petitioner has been acquitted. 9. Accordingly, the writ application stands allowed with a cost of Rs. 50,000/- in favour of the petitioner. 10. The orders dated 10.08.2009 as contained in Memo No. 2927(E) issued by the Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Additional Commissioner-cum-Special Secretary, Department of Road Construction, Government of Bihar (Annexure-1) and the order dated 21.06.2010 as contained in Memo No. 2452(E) issued by the Engineer -in-Chief-cum-Additional Commissioner -cum- Special Secretary, Department of Road Construction, Government of Bihar (Annexure-2) are quashed. 11. The respondents are directed to ensure payment of all the benefits to the petitioner in accordance with the direction issued hereinabove within a period of three months from today, failing which, the entire arrears will carry interest at the rate of 9 percent per annum from the date of inflicting punishment till the date of actual payment. 12. With the aforesaid observation/direction, the writ petition stands allowed and disposed off.