L/ASI SEEMA Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Case has been heard through video conferencing on account of COVID-19 Pandemic.

(2.) This appeal has been preferred by appellant against the order dated 4.2.2021 passed by learned Single Judge whereby CWP-14185-2021 filed by the appellant for quashing impugned order dated 4.3.2020 (Annexure P-2) vide which regular inquiry has been ordered by respondent No.3 and charge-sheet dated 10.4.2020 (Annexure P-3) vide which respondent No.4 has initiated the departmental inquiry against the appellant on the basis of FIR No.218 dated 1.3.2020 under Sections 7/13 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (in short 'the Act of 1988'), Police Station Model Town, Panipat (Annexure P-1) was dismissed.

(3.) The brief facts of the case are that the appellant joined Police Department of Haryana on 23.2.2002 as Lady Constable and was promoted as Head Constable on 8.5.2012 and was further promoted as Assistant Sub-Inspector on 28.10.2016. She was having clean service record except one censure which was given on account of delay in submitting the charge-sheet. However, when she was posted at Panipat, FIR No.218 dated 1.3.2020 under Sections 7/13 of the Act of 1988 was registered against her on the allegations that she demanded Rs. 5,000/- from Rakesh Kumar for exonerating his mother from the FIR got registered against said Rakesh Kumar by his wife. The trap was laid and the appellant was apprehended red-handed and bribe money of Rs. 5,000/- was recovered in the presence of shadow witnesses and punter. On the basis of the aforesaid allegations, the appellant was placed under suspension vide order dated 4.3.2020 (Annexure P-2). The regular departmental inquiry was initiated against her by respondent No.3. Subsequently, she was reinstated in service vide order dated 24.7.2020. In the meantime, she was served charge-sheet dated 10.4.2020 (Annexure P-3).