CHAMANLAL CHABRA Vs. LT GOVERNOR DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner in this case, Shri Chaman Lal Chhabra, an officiating Deputy Superintendent of Police, was on the night between the 3]sF December 1967 and the 1st January 1968 in-charge of the Police Station Parliament Street, New Delhi. On that night the free flow of traffic was obstructed, at certain places in the Connaught Place area, by groups of merry-making persons. Not only some cars and other vehicles were stopped and damaged but some persons even misbehaved towards ladies, and there were a few incidents of stabbing and snatching away of ornaments. The authorities naturally took a serious view of these acts of rowdism. As it was considered that adequate patrolling was not done by the petitioner and the situation was allowed to go out of control, the petitioner was placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings were started against him.

(2.) The petitioner is a Police officer of long standing and had even rendered military service for about seven years before joining as Subinspector in the Delhi Police on October 15, 1948. He was confirmed as a Sub-Inspector in the year 1952 and was promoted to the rank of officiating Inspector with effect from May .19, 1956. He was confirmed in the rank of Inspector in the year 1962. With effect from June 12, 1963 he was appointed by a Deputy Secretary to the Government, Ministry of Home Affairs, to officiate against a duty post of the Delhi and Himachal Pradesh Police Service.

(3.) It also appears that the record of service of the petitioner was unblemished. Admittedly according to the military dicharge certificate his military service was classified as "superior" and the performance of his duties as a police Officer was described to be "satisfactory".