BALAKRISHNA SHETTY Vs. COMMISSIONER FOR RELIGIOUS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is before this court calling in question an order dtd. 10/3/2022 passed by the first respondent - the Commissioner for Religious and Charitable Endowments for the State of Karnataka, rejecting the appeal filed by the petitioner against an order dtd. 14/11/2016, whereby the services of the petitioner, who was working as Darshana Pathri was terminated.

(2.) Heard Sri. D.R. Ravishankar, learned Senior counsel appearing for Sri. Kethan Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri.B.V. Krishna, learned AGA appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3, Sri. S. Rajashekar, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.4 and Sri. Sanath Kumar Shetty K., learned counsel appearing for respondent No.5.

(3.) Facts in brief that leads the petitioner to this Court in the subject petition, as borne out from the pleadings, are as follows: It transpires, in the year 2013, on certain allegations, proceedings were initiated against the petitioner by the Managing Committee of the fourth respondent. Pursuant to the initiation of proceedings against the petitioner, an Enquiry Officer comes to be appointed. The Enquiry Officer appears to have issued several notices to the petitioner, as is recorded in the report of the enquiry. The petitioner does not participate in the enquiry, which leads the Enquiry Officer to consider the allegations levelled against him and pass an order on 14/11/2016 by holding the allegations against the petitioner, as proved. Pursuant to the report of the Enquiry Officer, the Competent Authority accepting the report, imposes penalty of dismissal of the petitioner from the post of Darshana Pathri with effect from 20/11/2016. The petitioner did not to challenge the same for a period of five years, and files an appeal in the year 2021, in Appeal No.13/2021-22. The Appellate Authority in terms of the order dtd. 10/3/2022 rejects the appeal. It is this order that drives the petitioner to this Court in the subject petition.