RAVINDER SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner through instant petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India is seeking setting aside of orders passed by departmental authorities whereby he has been awarded punishment of dismissal from service.

(2.) The petitioner joined Police Force as Constable in 2012. In 2019, the respondent initiated departmental inquiry against him alleging that he was involved in FIR No.108 registered under Ss. 420, 120-B and 166 of IPC at Police Station Dehlon, Ludhiana. The petitioner, at the first instance, was not named in aforesaid FIR, however, his name was added on the basis of statement of co-accused. As per FIR, nine persons in connivance with each other cheated complainant. They allured the complainant that amount paid by him would be doubled. On the assurance of accused, the complainant handed over a sum of Rs.5,00,000.00 to accused. The Inquiry Officer found him guilty of alleged misconduct. The Disciplinary Authority vide order dtd. 4/10/2019 awarded him punishment of dismissal from service. He preferred an appeal which came to be dismissed by Appellate Authority vide order dtd. 15/10/2020 passed by Additional Director General of Police. He preferred revision which came to be dismissed vide order dtd. 29/11/2023 passed by Director General of Police.

(3.) Learned counsel representing the petitioner submits that punishment awarded by authorities is disproportionate to alleged misconduct. The petitioner was not named in the FIR. He was made accused on the basis of disclosure statement of co-accused. The matter was compromised between actual accused and complainant, thus, FIR was quashed by this Court on the basis of compromise.