JAGDISH SHARMA Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the parties. The writ petition has been preferred for quashing the impugned order contained in Letter No. 3191 dated 24th October, 2008 (Annexure-3) issued by the Additional Finance Commissioner, Government of Jharkhand, whereby Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi has been asked to stop the pension of the petitioner and also to recover the amount of pension paid to him with immediate effect. He has also sought quashing of the impugned order contained in Letter No. 1006 (ii) dated 7th November, 2008 (Annexure-4) issued by the Deputy Collector, Establishment, Ranchi to Treasury Officer, Ranchi, by which the Treasury Officer has been asked to stop the payment of pension to the petitioner and also to recover the amount of pension paid to him.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that after having retired on 31st May, 1998, he has been receiving his pension for the last 10 years, but the impugned orders have been passed apparently on the ground that the petitioner has been convicted in R.C. Case No. 43A/1996 by competent court in relation to the fodder scam case. Learned counsel further submits that the said orders have been issued in purported exercise of power under Sections 43(a) and (b) of Jharkhand Pension Rules. 2000, but no notice or show cause has been issued to the petitioner before passing of the said orders. Learned counsel for the petitioner has brought on record a judgment and order passed in W.P.(S) No. 1656 of 2009 dated 11th November, 2009, to submit that in the said case also, when the pension of the concerned petitioner was stopped and recovery was directed to be made on his conviction in a fodder scam case, this court had quashed the order in question as the same were passed without giving opportunity to the said petitioner. It is submitted that the action of the respondents entails adverse consequences which requires opportunity of hearing before it is passed.

(3.) Learned counsel for the respondents however justified the impugned orders on the ground that by invoking the powers conferred under Section 43(b) of the Jharkhand Pension Rules, which permit the employer to stop/withdraw whole or part of the pension of the employee depending upon in future conduct, the petitioner has been imposed with the said order of stoppage of pension on his conviction in a criminal case relating to fodder scam by the competent court. Learned counsel for the respondents State however does not dispute the assertion of the petitioner that the same have been made without issuance of any show cause or notice. The relevant portion of the order dated 11.11.2009 passed in W.P.(S) No. 1655 of 2009 relied upon by the petitioner is quoted hereinbelow:--