BALJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Brief facts and which are not in dispute may be noticed at the outset.

(2.) Petitioner while serving as a Head Constable under Punjab Police was served a charge-sheet dated 07.05.2008 (Annexure P-1) on the allegations that one Inspector Jagir Singh had been paid interest of Rs. 62,300/- on account of delayed release of his retiral benefits and that the petitioner was responsible for such delay. The Inquiry Officer so appointed returned findings exonerating the petitioner. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur-respondent No.4 being the competent authority accepted the findings of the Inquiry Officer and vide order dated 17.10.2008 (Annexure P-2) the inquiry was filed.

(3.) Petitioner was served a second charge-sheet dated 15.10.2009 (Annexure P-3) containing allegations that on 16.09.2009 a report had appeared in the 'Dainik Jagran' Newspaper in which comments had been made with regard to drawing of training allowance by various employees/officials and such news item was attributed to the petitioner. In this case also, a detailed inquiry was held and inquiry report dated 31.05.2010 was furnished exonerating the petitioner. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur-respondent No.4 being the competent authority accepted the inquiry report and passed an order dated 11.06.2010 (Annexure P-4) whereby charge-sheet was filed.