PANKAJ PANWAR Vs. LALIT KALA AKADEMI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A public notice was published by the Lalit Kala Akademi, the first respondent (hereafter the Akademi) in the Hindustan Times, an English daily having wide circulation in West Bengal, in its issue dated January 11, 2014. Upon an order passed in this behalf by the Chairman of the Akademi, the third respondent, it was sought to be notified by such notice that "Disciplinary Committee has been set up by the Akademi in compliance with Government/High Court orders to inquire into complaints against General Council Members who have violated Code of Conduct rules by promoting themselves/relatives in Akademi activities giving priority to personal needs over Akademi activities" and that "all concerned are hereby informed that the Competent Authority of Lalit Kala Akademi vide his order dated 07.01.2014 issued under clause 17(11) of the Akademi Constitution has passed the following orders in respect of the General Council Members mentioned below." The notice contained names of number of persons who had either been censured or otherwise penalised. In respect of Sri Mukul Panwar, one of several persons who were proceeded against, the following punishment had been awarded:

(2.) The challenge in this writ petition dated February 13, 2014 presented by Sri Pankaj Panwar is to that part of the public notice whereby he has been visited with penalty, viz. withdrawal of national award including plaque and recovery of award money and information thereof to the public, without being called upon to participate in any proceedings that might have been drawn up.

(3.) Preliminary objection to the maintainability of this writ petition has been raised by Mr. Krishna, learned counsel for the Akademi and its several officers who have been impleaded as respondents. According to him, the decision which has resulted in the petitioner feeling aggrieved was taken in New Delhi and since no part of the cause of action for presenting this writ petition has arisen within the territorial limits of this Court, it ought not to be entertained and merits dismissal.