MANOHAR SINGH Vs. N.T.P.C. LTD.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is preferred on behalf of the Petitioner for a direction to a third party to conduct time bound inquiry and take action as per law on the complaint dtd. 16/4/2021, submitted by the Petitioner to Central Vigilance Commission ('CVC'), which had forwarded the complaint after due examination for necessary action to CVO, Ministry of Power/ Respondent No. 1.

(2.) Petitioner avers that he is a senior citizen and an ex-employee of NTPC. He submitted a complaint dtd. 16/4/2021 to CVC for an independent and impartial inquiry against the Chairman and Managing Director ('CMD'), NTPC and other officials for abusing the process of the Court and committing fraud by filing false affidavits and suppressing material record, which led to a protracted litigation, hardship and harassment to the Petitioner. It is urged that the complaint was forwarded on 11/5/2021 by CVC to the CVO, Ministry of Power, a fact admitted by NTPC in response to an RTI application. Petitioner gave a representation on 27/12/2021 to the Secretary, Ministry of Power, for an early disposal of complaint and after keeping the complaint pending, the same has been rejected by a non-speaking and unreasoned order dtd. 14/1/2022 by merely stating that the complaint is devoid of merit. In this light, it is prayed that inquiry be entrusted on the complaint of the Petitioner to a third and independent party.

(3.) Short affidavit has been filed on behalf of NTPC and relying on the same, Mr. Rajesh Gupta submits that after the complaint dtd. 16/4/2021 was received by Respondent No.1/Ministry of Power, comments were sought from NTPC on the complaint and in response, NTPC vide letter dtd. 29/7/2021 had sent detailed comments, whereafter the allegations in the complaint were deliberated upon by the Ministry and finding no merit, the complaint was rejected. Petitioner's complaint was disposed of as per 'Comprehensive Guidelines on Complaint Handling Mechanism' issued by CVC as streamlined by Circular dtd. 24/12/2021, bearing No.25/12/21.