JUDGEMENT
PRAMATH PATNAIK, J. -
(1.) In the accompanied writ application, the petitioner has inter -alia prayed
for issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for quashing the order dated
06.03.2010 passed by the Disciplinary Authority (Respondent no.5) and the order dated 08.07.2010 passed by the Appellate Authority (Respondent no.4)
and also the order dated 05.05.2012 passed by the Revisional Authority
pertaining to dismissal from the services and the petitioner has further prayed
for issuance of writ in the nature of mandamus commanding upon the
respondents to reinstate the petitioner with all consequential benefits in
accordance with law.
(2.) Sans details, the facts as disclosed in the writ application, in a nutshell, is that while the petitioner was posted at Dhanbad, charges were framed
against him along with others and show cause was asked from him. In
pursuance thereto, the petitioner submitted his reply denying the same and the
show cause reply was found unsatisfactory and the petitioner was proceeded
departmentally. In the departmental proceeding, the matter was enquired into
and the inquiry officer held the petitioner guilty of charges. On the basis of
inquiry report, the disciplinary authority agreeing with findings of the inquiry
officer has passed order of dismissal from services, which has been affirmed
by the Appellate as well as the Revisional Authority. Being aggrieved by the
order passed by the Disciplinary, Appellate as well as Revisional Authority
and the petitioner left with no other alternative efficacious and speedy
remedy, has approached this Court invoking extra -ordinary jurisdiction under
Article 226 of the Constitution of India for redressal of his grievances.
(3.) Per -contra a counter -affidavit has been filed by the respondent nos. 2 to 5 controverting the averments made in the writ applications. In the counter - affidavit, it has been inter alia submitted that the Sub Divisional Officer,
Dhanbad issued a letter dated 08.11.2011 whereunder on 22.09.2008 one
Bansi Lal son of Late Bipal Sahu accused in R.C. 5 -(A) of 2005 A.H.D.R was
being treated in PMCH Dhanbad and the petitioner alongwith others
constable were deputed for security in PMCH. On 22.09.2008 the accused
Bansi Lal got burn injury and on 23.09.2008 admitted to casual department
PMCH and on 25.09.2008 the accused person was transferred to RIMS
Ranchi. The Sub Divisional Officer, Dhanbad on 31.10.2008 at 11:30
inspected the ward of PMCH where accused persons were treated during the
course of enquiry no security personnel was present, nor they were in
uniform. Two security personnels had gone out and other two were lying in
barrack. The statement of accused in custody also indicated that there was
candles and matches in the prisoner ward because of which the incident to
fire took place. The constable during the enquiry did not say truth. The
prisoner wards where accused are treated and the police barrack are adjacent
to each other and there was difference of just one wall. The constable deputed
in security should have known about the incidents of fire but after the fire had
engulfed, the security personnels came to learn about it and these shows that
they were not on duty. It was also transpired that the petitioner and others
were on the roof top, indicating that they were negligent in their duty and the
catching fire of under trial was a suspicious circumstances. The departmental
proceeding was subsequently started, not being satisfied with the reply given
by the petitioner but during the course of inquiry the petitioner and others
have been found guilty of charges. It is further been submitted that the then
Superintendent of Police, Dhanbad agreed with the findings of the conducting
officer after having considered the entire materials on record and found the
petitioner guilty of charges and the then Superintendent of Police, Dhanbad
found the act and conduct of petitioner and others as sufficient proof of
undisciplined conduct and doubtful character and being incompetent police
personnel. Hence, the then Superintendent of Police, Dhanbad passed an
order asking for show cause from the petitioner on the proposed punishment
and the petitioner submitted his show cause and the disciplinary authority
after considering the show cause reply unsatisfactory passed dismissal order
of the petitioner from services. Which has been affirmed by the Appellate as
well as Revisional Authority.;
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