RAM DUTTA SINGH Vs. COAL INDIA LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard, Mr. Bijoy Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Aloke Banerjee, learned counsel for the respondents. The contention of the petitioner is that he was suspended in view of initiation of a criminal proceedings against the petitioner. Such suspension order passed in the year 1990 was revoked in the year 1994. Ultimately, the criminal case also ended in acquittal of the petitioner by the appropriate Court on December 23, 1998. The petitioner states that in view of such acquittal he is not only entitled to full financial benefits for the entire period of suspension, but also the promotional benefits which the petitioner has been deprived by reason of pendency of the said proceedings, although juniors to the petitioners have been given promotion.

(2.) The learned counsel for the respondents stated that the petitioner had to be suspended and his case for promotion could not be considered, in view of the pendency of the criminal proceedings and, therefore, there is no irregularity in the action of the respondents.

(3.) After considering the aforesaid facts, I find that, admittedly, when the petitioner has been acquitted in the criminal proceedings, there is no reason for withholding the entire financial benefits payable to him during the period of suspension. Further, in such facts no reason could be shown as to why the petitioner should be deprived of such promotion when, admittedly, his juniors have been promoted. Learned counsel for the petitioner has contended that such promotion up to the level of Grade E-5 is time-bound promotion and therefore petitioner is entitled to such promotion as a matter of course. Reliance was placed on the Office Memorandum dated March 29, 1993 at annexure "I" to the affidavit-in-reply filed by the petitioner. Learned counsel for the respondent states that under the Rules such promotion up to the level of E-3 Grade is on seniority-cum-merit, and, the level above the same, it would be merit-cum-seniority. As I do not find sufficient materials to decide the "aforesaid criteria for promotion particularly when the modification by the competent authority of Coal India Ltd., relied on by the petitioner, was disclosed in the affidavit-in-reply, I direct the respondents to decide the question of promotion of the petitioner strictly in accordance with the law and such promotion will be from the date when the junior to the petitioner was promoted. All arrears on account of the financial benefits during the suspension period is to be paid within a period of three months from the date of communication of this order and the respondents also will decide the question of promotion of the petitioner within the aforesaid period and will communicate such decision to the petitioner immediately thereafter.