BALWANT SINGH BHANDAIR Vs. REGISTRAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Challenge in the present writ petition is to the order of punishment dated 20.12.1991 (Annexure P-2) which is based upon the order dated 7.12.1991 (Annexure P-4) as also order dated 26.4.1996 (Annexure P-5) passed in an appeal preferred by the petitioner.

(2.) Briefly, the facts of the case are that the petitioner, who at the relevant time, was a Protocol Officer of the High Court, when it is alleged that he had undertaken certain journeys to Mussoorie, Madras and Delhi by road and by air without proper authorization. He was charge-sheeted for having submitted his claim for encashing travel allowance (T.A.) on the assumption put forth as if he had actually performed journeys whereas it was alleged that he had not undertaken any such journey. The petitioner was placed under suspension on 29.11.1989. A charge-sheet dated 22.12.1989 was served upon the petitioner to which he submitted his reply on 5.2.1990. Being not satisfied with the reply submitted by the petitioner, a regular departmental enquiry was initiated against him qua the charges which read as follows:

(3.) That you took staff car CHK 5600 to Delhi on 18.6.1989 and stayed there upto 22.6.1989 without proper authorisation and thus violated High Court Staff Car Rules, 1979, which is very serious lapse on your part.