ASHOK HARI Vs. COAL INDIA LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY this writ petition the petitioner has inter alia prayed for a writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents to set aside the impugned charge-sheet and the order of dismissal, and to forbear from giving any effect or further effect to that and to reinstate the petition in the service with all back wages and for other consequential benefits.

(2.) THE case of the petitioner inter alia is that he was appointed on February 20, 1999 at Basantimata Colliery. On October 23, 2002 he found a list of employees was displayed in the notice board of the respondent no. 2 company, Chanch Victoria area, Barakar. That was an order of dismissal of several employees who were attached to different collieries. The petitioner was one of them. This was on the ground of absenteeism of the petitioner. The petitioner made a representation to the General Manager, Chanch Victoria area but he received a reply from the Agent to the colliery rejecting his prayer for reinstatement. By the present petition the petitioner has challenged the order of dismissal on various grounds.

(3.) THE respondents state that a charge-sheet was issued by the Agent of Basantimata Colliery which is in the state of Jharkhand. The explanation submitted by the petitioner was considered and the Agent being the disciplinary authority was not satisfied and in the regular departmental proceeding that was commenced, continued and concluded at the Basantimata Colliery which is outside the territorial jurisdiction of this court. The Agent had dismissed the petitioner from service. The respondents have taken the point of lack of territorial jurisdiction of this court to entertain the petition as, according to them, no part of the cause of action has arisen within the territorial jurisdiction of this court.