DARSHAN SINGH Vs. STATE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, a Chief Engineer, by this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution seeks to challenge the order of suspension dated 25.1.95 passed against him by the Respondent State.

(2.) Few basic facts may be noted. The petitioner started his career as Engineer in 1960 when he joined service in the State of Tripura. In 1975, he joined in the Public Works Department of the State of Amnachal Pradesh. In 1992, he was Superintendent Engineer (Electrical). On 14.8.92 he was given additional charge of Chief Engineer in the Power Department. Eventually on 26.2.93 he was appointed as Chief Engineer on ad hoc basis with effect from 1.3.1993 for a period of 6 months. It is the petitioner's claim that his name was submitted to the State Public Service Commission for the purpose of confirmation as Chief Engineer and was recommended but no such confirmation order has been issued by the respondents. His tenure as Chief Engineer was extended from time to time and the last term expired in March, 1995. Although he continued as Chief Engineer, but no order as such was issued.

(3.) The petitioner expected that he would be regularised as Chief Engineer for which purpose he approached the authorities concerned. It is his pleaded case that apart from some misunderstanding in the mind of the authorities concerned, there was politiking as well. He was asked to proceed on leave for a period of 60 days vide letter dated 19.6.95 and in his place one Shri P. Dey was asked to look after the routine work of Chief Engineer (Power). The reasons behind asking him to proceed on leave was not disclosed in the order dated 19.6.95 (Annexure-4). The petitioner complied with the order.