HARJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner who was serving on the post of Assistant Sub Inspector of Police with the Punjab Police Department was imposed the major penalty of dismissal from service vide order dated 24.01.2014 (Annexure P-7). The penalty of dismissal stands affirmed by the appellate as also revisional authorities vide orders dated 05.01.2015 (Annexure P-9) and 04.08.2015 (Annexure P-11) respectively.

(2.) The instant writ petition is directed against the afore noticed orders at Annexures P-7, P-9 and P-11.

(3.) It has been averred that the petitioner in the year 2012 was posted as Investigating Officer in Police Station Meharban, Ludhiana. He was conducting investigation of FIR No. 11, dated 25.02.2012 under Section 420 IPC, registered at Police Station Meharban. One Baldev Singh filed a complaint dated 21.09.2012 raising allegations that the petitioner had obtained a sum of Rs. 35,000/- from Gurjant Singh son of the complainant on various dates during the course of investigation and was demanding more money. Acting upon such complaint, a trap team was constituted and the petitioner is stated to have been caught with Rs. 5000/- received from the complainant in the presence of the witnesses and arrested on the spot. Pursuant thereto, FIR No.103, dated 21.09.2012 under Sections 7, 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station Meharban, District Ludhiana against the petitioner. Departmental proceedings were also simultaneously initiated against the petitioner vide charge sheet dated 25.05.2013. The charges formulated against the petitioner were of having caused damage to the image of police as also the conduct of the petitioner being negligent/ irresponsible and condemnable. It is upon culmination of such departmental proceedings that the impugned order of dismissal dated 24.01.2014 has been passed. The appeal as also revision preferred by the petitioner stand rejected.