SANTOSH KUMAR BHOWMIK Vs. O N G C

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Shri Santhosh Kumar Bhowmik is a time keeper in Tripura Project of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC in short) a Statutory Body created under the Oil and Natural Gas Commission Act, 1956. On conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings, Shri Bhowmik was found guilty of misconduct and was awarded the penalty of stoppage of two increments with cumulative effect by the Disciplinary Authority, Project Manager, ONGC vide order dated January 15, 1983 (Annexure-A/10 to the writ petition). The Appellate Authority, General Manager, ONGC dismissed his Appeal vide order dated May 25/28, 1983 (Annexure-A/16 to the writ petition).

(2.) On being moved, this Court by an order dated August 8, 1986 (Annexure-A/17 to the writ petition) in C.R. No. 81/1983 quashed the order dismissing the Appeal holding the same to be a non- speaking order and sent back the matter to the Appellate Authority for disposal afresh in accordance with law.

(3.) The Appellate Authority (this time the Regional Director, ONGC as the post of General Manager was abolished in the meantime) on fresh disposal of the Appeal maintained the finding of the guilt, but reduced the penalty of stoppage of two increments with cumulative effect to one of stoppage of two increments without cumulative effect. Shri S.K. Bhowmik still felt aggrieved and approached this Court for the second time in C.R. No. 143/86. The learned single Judge did not interfere with the finding of guilt but quashed the punishment "holding it to be harsh and highly disproportionate" and remitted "the matter to the authority to impose any other lighter punishment" vide judgment and order dated November 22, 1995.