PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. HARJIT SINGH NAG

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is defendant's regular second appeal against the judgement and decree of the Additional District Judge whereby the appeal filed by the plaintiff was a accepted, thus decreeing the suit.

(2.) It is the case of the plaintiff that he joined the service as Assistant Engineer in the Punjab State Electricity Board sometime in the year 1974 and was promoted to the post of Assistant Executive Engineer in June, 1985. He was placed under suspension by the Deputy Secretary, PSEB, an authority subordinate to the punishing and appointing authority. He was re-instated on 2.2.1982. A charge sheet was issued by an authority subordinate to his Appointing authority on the allegations of irregularities regarding issuance of a tubewell connection. Reply to the charge sheet was filed and ultimately and punishing authority awarded him stopping of one annual increment with future effect. It is this order of the Punishing Authority dated 25.5.1985 which the plaintiff challenged stating it to be illegal, wrong and void and against the principles of natural justice.

(3.) Defendant in the written statement averred that the suspension order was passed by the competent authority and it was only conveyed by the office of secretary through Deputy Secretary. So, Deputy Secretary was only conveying authority whereas necessary orders regarding issuing of charge-sheet, show cause notice and punishment were infact passed by the competent authority.