ANIL KUMAR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Through the instant writ petition, the petitioner has challenged the order dated 12.10.2001 (Annexure P4) vide which, while regularising the period of absence of the petitioner from 18.7.1988 to 26.10.1997, the said period has been treated as leave of the kind due. It is the contention of the learned Counsel for the petitioner that while treating the period under reference as leave of the kind due, no opportunity was afforded to the petitioner inasmuch as he was neither issued a notice informing him the reasons for treating the said period as leave of the kind due nor afforded an opportunity of hearing to express his views on the same.

(2.) Learned Counsel for the respondents acknowledges that the action of the authorities in treating the period from 18.7.1988 to 26.10.1997 as leave of the kind due is not in consonance with the rules of natural justice. It is for the respondents to follow the rules of natural justice before passing of the order.

(3.) In view of the above, order dated 12.10.2001 whereby the period of the petitioner's absence from duty from 18.7.1988 to 26.10.1997 has been treated as leave of the kind due is hereby set aside. Liberty is granted to the respondents to pass a fresh order, if the respondents are so advised, on the same issue, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner in consonance with the rules of natural justice.