PRADEEP KUMAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Present case is arising out of an order dtd. 18/8/2023 passed by the Executive Director, North Zone, Food Corporation of India whereby petitioner was compulsorily retired in the inter-est of Corporation and public interest in general as well as an order dtd. 24/11/2023 whereby the representation of petitioner was rejected after examination by the Representation Committee.

(2.) Sri Ashok Khare, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Shariq Shamim has not disputed a well settled position of law that order of compulsorily retirement is itself not an order of punishment nor it casts any stigma, how-ever, he has argued that Reviewing Committee has not considered the detailed representation filed by the petitioner that his immediate previous service record was found satisfactory that he was found fit for promotion and was promoted also before impugned order was passed as well as broad criteria as mentioned in Circular dtd. 9/7/2021 issued by Food Corporation of India were also not followed and without assigning any reason, his representation was rejected by the Reviewing Committee.

(3.) Learned Senior Advocate has referred Clause No. 22(2) of Food Corporation of India Staff Regulation, 1971 as amended as well as Clause-10 of Circular dtd. 9/7/2021 and for reference, same are quoted below :-