RAVINDRAN Vs. DY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner was prosecuted for absenting himself from duty without permission on 6-8-1986 from the special train in which he was travelling. He is alleged to have committed offence under S.10(m) of the Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949 (for short, the Act). He was also accused of leaving the train without handing over the charge of the vehicle which was carried in the train. He was produced before the Magistrate of the First Class and Assistant Commandant, Shillong. Though he pleaded guilty to both the charges, the Magistrate recorded the statements of five prosecution witnesses and gave him an opportunity to cross examine them. He declined to cross examine the witnesses. Considering his 18 years of service to the entire satisfaction of the superiors, the Magistrate took a lenient view and convicted him till the rising of the Court.

(2.) As a result of the judicial trial and consequent conviction petitioner was dismissed from service with effect from 13-12-1986 under S.12(1) of the Act. Petitioner filed appeal under R.28 of the C.R.P.F. Rules, 1955. The appeal was rejected by the first respondent as per Ext. P4 order.

(3.) Petitioner's case is that he felt giddy on account of high temperature and as advised by the superior officers he got out of the train to get some medicine, that on his way to the medical shop he fell unconscious and that before he could realise about it he was admitted in a Government hospital and after eight days only he recovered from the illness. It is also stated by him that he had sent a telegram to the Commandant of 50th Battalion (second respondent) stating the above facts.