PREM KUMAR JOSHI Vs. STATE OF U P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition has been filed for quashing the order dated 25 -5 -2005 (Annexures 1 and 2), by which both the petitioners have been restrained from working as a Member and President of the District Consumer Forum, Meerut (hereinafter called the Forum), respectively, and from exercising any other administrative power. The records have also been directed to be sealed and recommendation has been made to the State Government by the President of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (hereinafter called the Commission) for suspension of the petitioners alongwith one other member of the Forum.

(2.) THE facts and circumstances giving rise to this case are that on receiving certain complaint against the petitioners and one other officer, namely, Smt. Kusum Tandon, President and Members of the Forum, the Chairman of the Commission passed an order restraining them from performing any function, and certain record was directed to be sealed, and further recommendations have been made to the State Government to put them under suspension. Hence this petition.

(3.) SHRI Sudhir Agrawal, learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the State has submitted that considering the gravity of allegations in the complaint against the petitioners, which was found by the President of the Commission to be true, the impugned orders restraining them from exercising their powers were justified, otherwise they would have played havoc. Sealing of the record was considered to be necessary so that the petitioners may not tamper with the evidence, and it is not open to the petitioners at this stage to seek a direction restraining the State Government from passing an order of suspension, for the reason that such a relief cannot be claimed at this stage as the State Government has not yet considered the recommendations made by the President of the Commission and seeking such a relief would be premature. It has been further submitted by Shri Agrawal that correction of a judicial error in appeal/revision is something different and it shall not prevent the employer from initiating disciplinary proceedings against quasi -judicial officer if the order passed by him reflects on his integrity. Thus, petition is liable to be dismissed.