UNION OF INDIA Vs. SORAN SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this writ petition, the petitioner has challenged the validity of Award dated 10.12.2003 whereby directions were given by the Tribunal to reinstate the respondent/ workman with 50% wages and other consequential benefits.

(2.) Briefly the facts are that a large number of casual labours (monthly rated) joined railways under a scheme of regularisation. A racket was detected in March 1984 and Vigilance branch of railways reported that certain casual labours (monthly rated) had entered into the service on the basis of bogus casual labour cards. After unearthing this racket, investigation was done by Vigilance Department and the name of those persons were found out who had entered into the service on the basis of fake/ forged labour cards. Railways sought to take action against such persons as it amounted to playing fraud and grave misconduct. A letter was written by Central Railways, Headquarters Office, Personnel Branch on 18.10.1985 to serve notice on such labours who had entered into services by fraud and to receive their explanation. Text of the letter is re-produced as under:-

(3.) After investigation by the Vigilance Branch, railways sent a list of bogus casual labours service card to all branch offices including Jhansi, where respondent was working, to the following effect:-