JUDGEMENT
-
(1.) BY this writ petition, the petitioner seeks to challenge the orders dated 15
th
July, 2010 passed by the Disciplinary
Authority, 8
th
February, 2011 passed by the Appellate Authority
and the order dated 17
th
December, 2012 passed by the Tribunal
amongst other reliefs.
(2.) THE case of the petitioner is that although the complaint was lodged by one Smti.Prabhawati, it was on the basis of her
evidence that the preliminary enquiry report was submitted.
Based on such preliminary report memorandum of charge was
issued to the delinquent officer. A reply was given thereto and in
the disciplinary proceedings in the absence of the complainant,
based on the evidence of the complainant before the Preliminary
Enquiry Officer, an order was passed on 15
th
July, 2010. The
said order is bad as without examining the complainant and
giving an opportunity of cross-examination to the petitioner no order could have been passed by the Disciplinary Authority far
less passing his order on the evidence disclosed by the
complainant during the preliminary enquiry stage. Therefore,
the order dated 15
th
July, 2010 be set aside so also the order of
the Appellate Authority which also has not considered the issues
raised by the petitioner and has endorsed the order dated 15
th
July, 2010.
Proceedings were filed before the Central Administrative Tribunal which has also confirmed the orders dated 15
th
July,
2010 and 8 th
February, 2011 by dismissing the original
application filed. Hence this writ petition has been filed for
setting aside the orders dated 15
th
July, 2010, 8
th
February,
2011 and 17 th
December, 2012.
(3.) EXAMINATION of Deputy Superintendent of Police, who is the Enquiring Officer, as a witness cannot form the basis of the
orders passed, as it is the complainant who must prove her case
and having not come forward to do so, her evidence at the
preliminary stage could not have been relied on. Therefore,
orders be passed as sought.
Counsel for the respondents submits that evidence in
departmental proceedings varies from the criminal proceedings
and strictness applied in criminal proceedings should not be
made applicable to the departmental proceedings. The complainant had deposed before the Enquiry Officer at the time
of preparation of the preliminary enquiry report and therefore,
evidence submitted then was sufficient for passing the order
dated 15
th
July, 2010. Orders could have been passed by the
Disciplinary Authority even in the absence of the complainant
during the departmental proceedings. The order passed by the
Appellate Authority is on a consideration of facts. Similarly the
order of the Tribunal is also reasoned. Therefore, this writ
petition calls for no interference and no order need be passed
thereon.;
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