MOHD AKBAR KHAN Vs. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ON the allegation that petitioner had committed a theft, he was placed under suspension vide order dated 7 -4 -1983 and subsequently vide order dated 19th October, 1983 his services were terminated. The petitioner has called in question order of termination.

(2.) THE short case of the petitioner is that before terminating his services, no enquiry of whatsoever kind was held. No Charge was framed against him, nor was he given an opportunity to show cause against the proposed punishment. The factual assertions made by the petitioner in this behalf are not denied on behalf of the respondents, in fairners to the respondents, it may be stated that their learned counsel Mr. Zahoor Ahmad fairly conceded that no enquiry had been held, as required by law and that before terminating the services of the petitioners the was not given any opportunity to show cause against the proposed punishment Mr. Zahoor Ahmad submits that since the petitioner was facing criminal trial with respect to the theft, the respondents did not hold the enquiry before passing the order of termination.

(3.) TERMINATION from service is a major punishment and the same cannot be imposed upon an employee without following the mandate of law i.e. without holding an enquiry, as contemplated by the J&K Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 and following the rules of natural justice. Undoubtedly, in this case that procedure had not been followed and, therefore, the order of termination cannot be sustained.