JAI PRAKASH Vs. MANAGING DIRECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE writ petition was filed initially for direction upon the respondents to release the amount of terminal benefit including gratuity and leave encashment with interest which might be adjudged by this Court. Difference of salary from 1st January, 1996 to 31st December, 1998 admissible to the petitioner on account of pay revision and difference of salary between 17th August 2002 to 31st August, 2004 admissible to the petitioner on account of his suspension.

(2.) DURING pendency of the writ petition, there has been subsequent development as the punishment order was issued on 31st December, 2005. The short fact of the case is as follows : The petitioner at the relevant point of time was Assistant Law Officer of U.P. State Road Transport Corporation. He was placed under suspension vide order dated 12th August, 2002. The said order of suspension might have been passed in contemplation of disciplinary proceedings. Notwithstanding the same, the petitioner challenged the said order of suspension before Honble Allahabad High Court by filing Writ Petition No. 50921 of 2003. The said writ petition was disposed of by an order dated 24th November, 2003 with direction to the competent authority to complete the inquiry expeditiously preferably within six months. Thereafter, the first chargesheet was served upon the petitioner on 23rd November, 2002 and the second chargesheet followed on 24th December, 2002. The petitioner replied to the charges and the inquiry proceedings in respect of the first chargesheet was completed in March, 2003. Inspite of completion of enquires, no decision was taken. In the meantime, the petitioner retired from services but all terminal benefits were not released. The reason behind for not releasing may be pendency of the disciplinary proceedings. Ultimately, the impugned order of punishment was passed forfeiting the salary which was due and payable to the petitioner otherwise and also the amount of gratuity. There was no order of punishment as regard leave encashment.

(3.) I think leave encashment should have been released as it is not covered by the order of punishment. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that under the relevant Rules, the respondents authority is not empowered either to continue with disciplinary proceedings or impose punishment under service Rules. In any event, Rule provides for some other punitive measure and not to take any action which affects financially.