RAM BHAGAT Vs. STATE OF NAGALAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr Kakheto Sema, learned counsel for the petitioners as well as Mrs Y. Longkumer, learned Govt. Advocate for the respondents.

(2.) These four writ petitions were taken together as it relates to the same termination order issued by the respondent No. 3 in the order No. CE/PHE/WC/GEN-1/2000-01 (PT-I) dated 11.10.2000 (Annexure-6 to the writ petition). The same question of law and facts are also involved in the four cases.

(3.) The case in brief is that the petitioner in W.P.(C) No. 172(K) 2000 was appointed on 9.11.87. The petitioner in WP(C) No. 173(K)2000 was appointed on 18.5.1983, petitioner in WP(C) No. 174(K)2000 was appointed on 11.12.87 and petitioner in WP(C) No. 175(K) 2000 was appointed on 19.12.89. All of them were appointed as Khalasis under the PHE Department, Nagaland. Since then, the petitioners in the four writ petitions have been continuing in their services. Thereafter, a criminal case being Dimapur West PS. Case No. 116/2000 u/s . 457/380/34IPC was registered against the petitioners for alleged theft of construction materials from the store of PHE Department. On the basis of the said criminal case, the services of the petitioners were terminated by order No. CE/PHE/WC/GEN-1/2000- 01(PT.I), dated 11.10.2000. The said termination order is challenged by the pe titioners in these writ petitions.