DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE BHUJ Vs. GHANSHYAMSINH ZALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Letters Patent Appeal is against the order passed by the learned single Judge allowing Special Civil Application No. 5484 of 1986. Two Constables for whom order of appointment was issued as early as 17-12-1983 were sent for training. It is alleged that in the examination held they indulged in copying and as such the impugned order discharging the respondent and another came to be passed on 28-4-1984 Questioning the same the respondent came forward with the Special Civil Application. The other Constable who has also been discharged has filed another Special Civil Application and that Constable is not before us today. THe learned single Judge who went into the question found that the discharge has been effected by way of punishment and the failure to follow the procedure prescribed under Act. 311 (2) of the Constitution vitiates such discharge. After setting aside the order of discharge the learned Judge has also given the full backwages. It is interesting to note that it is only in the case of the present respondent the discharge came to be effected and as for as the other constable is concerned before the discharge was effected he came forward with the Special Civil Application and got stay from this Court. The learned single Judge after appreciating the respondent was not gainfully employed during the period of termination has granted full backwages. It is as against this order the appellants have come forward with the present Letters Patent Appeal.

(2.) Miss Doshit the learned Counsel appearing for the appellants states that the respondent is only a recruit and there is absolutely no legal right to continue in the civil service entitling him to agitate the question of discharge. According to the learned Counsel a recruit does not get any right in the service and once he has been discharged from service he has absolutely no legs to stand and the present Special Civil application filed by him questioning the discharge is misconceived. She also reads Rules 129 131 and 132(2) of the Gujarat Police Manual 1975 to substantiate her case.

(3.) It is clear from Annexure A to the Special Civil Application that the respondent who was declared medically fit was appointed in the District Police Force in the existing pay scale of Rs. 200.00 plus allowances as Police Constable on temporary basis in unarmed branch. Buckle No. 1744 was given to the present respondent. He was sent for training. It is alleged that he indulged in copying during the examination and accordingly as per Annexure B which is the impugned order he was discharged from the police department from the date of the receipt of the order Annexure B to the Special Civil Application. Rule 129 deals with recruits training at the Police Training School Baroda. Rule 129 (5) states: