UNION OF INDIA Vs. K VARADARAJAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We do not see any merit in the matter. The man was appointed in 1972. The doubt regarding his community arose only 20 years later in 1992. The basis for entertaining the doubt is nowhere stated except to assert that some complaint was received. The fact that that complaint is under scrutiny does not result in the certificate already produced and acted upon becoming illegal or invalid. That has to await the outcome of the enquiry, which is said to have been initiated. Even the doubt which the Department claims to have entertained was in the year 1992. Thereafter, 12 years have gone by.

(2.) The career of a civil servant is not to be put at the mercy of persons who make complaints about his status, and the superior authorities who proceed to deny benefits to which he is otherwise entitled, without being certain as to whether there is genuine basis for the complaint.

(3.) If ultimately it is found that he is not eligible and that he had in fact produced a false certificate, he can be dismissed from service. But there is no reason at all for treating him as if he is in between two worlds being neither in the Department nor being out of it, by denying him promotion. The writ petition is dismissed. W.P.M.P.No.6691 of 2004 is also dismissed.