KERALA POLICE ASSOCIATION Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is an association of policemen in the service of the Government of Kerala. They are in the rank of Sub Inspector of Police and below and are working in various Police Stations in Idukki District. In connection with their official duties, journeys were undertaken. Since they were not provided with any conveyance by the department, they had to make use of the public conveyance. They claim to have undertaken journies using public conveyance and had preferred claims for the grant of travelling allowance. Acting on those documents travelling allowance was paid.

(2.) According to the respondents, the documents produced by them in support of the expenses said to have been met for such journies are not acceptable. It was found that some of the petitioners were not eligible for travelling allowance and even in the case of those who were found eligible, amounts admitted was in excess of their entitlement. Respondents allege that the claim was allowed based on bogus documents.

(3.) It appears that during the inspection conducted by the audit party, certain irregularities were found out and based on the report thus filed by the audit party, the third respondent issued Exts.P3, P4 and P5 orders showing the names of those who had availed travelling allowance allegedly beyond their entitlement. Immediately, directions were issued to the subordinate officers to recover from the salary of the petitioners, the amounts shown against their names in Exts.P3, P4 and P5 orders. Feeling aggrieved, the petitioner has approached this Court espousing the cause of the members of the Association.