SADHU SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) APPELLANT, who was given appointment for a period of three years and was terminated, though granted extension for another year, had filed this suit to impugn the order of his termination, terming it to be wrong, illegal, against the Rules and in violation of principles of natural justice. He also prayed for grant of service benefit due to him alongwith interest @ 18% per annum as if the impugned order of termination was never passed.

(2.) THE appellant had been appointed to the post of Director, Punjab Technical University, in response to an advertisement and was so appointed after selection on the basis of interview conducted by Board of Governors. Concededly, the appellant was appointed on 7.2.2000 for a period of three years. On expiry of this period, his appointment was extended w.e.f 7.2.2003 for another year vide order dated 30.1.2003. On 17.11.2003, the services of the appellant were terminated. This order, as per the appellant, was due to a criminal case registered against him on 12.11.2003 by the Vigilance Bureau. He had accordingly filed this suit to impugn the order on the grounds as already stated.

(3.) THE Trial Court found that appointment of the appellant was purely contractual. THE plea raised on behalf of the appellant that termination was ordered without holding any enquiry and that the order was non-speaking, cryptic or stigmatic was not accepted and it was observed that the impugned order was passed not on account of any misconduct on the part of the appellant. This order was found to have been passed in terms of the conditions of appointment. THE suit filed by the appellant was accordingly dismissed.