LAWS(DLH)-1998-7-17

RANJIT VERMA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

Decided On July 14, 1998
RANJIT VERMA Appellant
V/S
UNION OF INDIA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who was working as Major, was cashiered from service by the respondents. On the 27th of November, 1981, a show-cause notice was issued to the petitioner as to why service gratuity and death-cum-gratuity should not be forfeited. On the 23rd of December, 1981, the mother of the petitioner gave the explanation. On the 15th of July, 1983, the Government of India passed the following order:-

(2.) . The power to issue the show-cause notice is not challenged.

(3.) . Mr.Meet Malhotra, the learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the petitioner has been suffering from some sort of mental illness which is diagnosed as Sohizophrenia. The petitioner had served the Indian Army without any kind of complaint but owing to his illness, he had to be on leave. According to the learned counsel, Mr.Meet Malhotra,, there is absolutely no justification for the forfeiture of the gratuity. The learned counsel, Mr.Meet Malhotra, relied upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in "Major G.S.Sodhi Vs. Union of India" AIR 1991 SC 1617 wherein the Supreme Court, according to him, had directed the respondents therein to pay the entire pension, gratuity and other benefits.