RAJESHWAR PRASAD Vs. BIHAR STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Two petitioners, while invoking writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, have prayed for following reliefs:-

(2.) Short fact of the case is that while petitioner no. 1 (Rajeshwar Prasad Singh) was posted as Accountant, Electric Supply Division (Urban) Chapra was placed under-suspension, vide Board's Order No. 2029 dated 19-04-1995 (Annexure "4? to the writ petition) and the petitioner no. 2 (Raghuvir Prasad Singh), Account Assistant/Bill Superintendent, Electric Supply Sub-Division (Urban), Chapra was placed under-suspension by Board's Office Order No. 2028 dated 19-04-1995 (Annexure "4/1? to the writ petition) and they were proceeded departmentally on the charge of dereliction of duty. It was alleged that in a writ petition filed by a consumer, the High Court had directed the authorities of the Board to correct the electricity bill of the consumer, which was unnecessarily delayed by both the petitioners. Instead of complying the Court's order and order of superior authority by correcting the electricity bill of the consumer, the petitioners made unnecessary correspondence and delayed the matter. On the aforesaid charges, a disciplinary proceeding was initiated against both the petitioners and finally, the disciplinary authority decided as follows:-

(3.) The said punishment order was passed against petitioner no. 1, vide Office Order No. 2010 dated 13-04-1996 and in respect of petitioner no. 2, vide Office Order No. 2009 dated 13-04-1996 under the signature of Joint Secretary of the Board.