NAKLI SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who was working as Chowkidar in the Government Senior Secondary School, Lalru, SAS Nagar, has filed the instant writ petition impugning the order dated 29.7.2010 passed by the District Education Officer (Secondary Education) SAS Nagar, District Mohali whereby his services have been terminated. Further challenge is to the order, dated 13.7.2012, whereby the statutory appeal preferred by the petitioner has been dismissed by the Appellate Authority.

(2.) A brief factual backdrop would be necessary. The petitioner joined the respondent-Department on the post of Chowkidar in the year 1987. While he was working as Chowkidar at Government Senior Secondary School, Lalru (Boys), a theft of 'educet' articles took place from the School on the intervening night of 7.1.2009 and 8.1.2009. The petitioner was issued a charge-sheet dated 11.2.2009 and the articles of charge drawn up against the petitioner were as follows:

(3.) The petitioner submitted his reply to the charge-sheet and the same having been found to be unsatisfactory, the Deputy District Education Officer (SE), SAS Nagar was appointed as the Enquiry Officer vide order dated 29.4.2009 for conducting a regular enquiry. The Enquiry Officer furnished enquiry report dated 2.6.2009 holding the petitioner to be guilty of all the charges levelled against him. A copy of the enquiry report was furnished to the petitioner and time was granted to him to file objections as regards findings returned by the Enquiry Officer.