SURAJIT BARMAN Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. K.N. Choudhury, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. R. M. Deka, learned counsel as well as Mr. T. A. Choudhury and Mr. M.J. Quadir, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners in this batch of writ petitions. Also heard Mr. S. Dutta, learned Standing Counsel, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Assam, appearing for the respondents.

(2.) The petitioners in this batch of writ petitions were engaged under the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Assam, on contractual basis as Accredited Engineers/Computer Assistant/Gram Rozgar Sahayak. However, their services were terminated by the orders under challenge in the respective writ petition by giving them one month salary in lieu of notice on the ground that the preliminary enquiry conducted against the petitioners had disclosed irregularities committed by them in course of their service. The orders of termination have been challenged primarily on the ground that those have been issued in violation of the Principles of Natural Justice.

(3.) For the purpose of disposal of these writ petitions, the facts involved in WP(C) 1785/2022 are discussed herein below :-