JUDGEMENT
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(1.) THIS appeal has been filed against the order dated 26.11.2008 passed by the learned Single Judge in Civil Review No. 35/2008, by which the review petition was dismissed on the ground that
the order passed in the writ petition, against which the review petition was filed, was an order
passed with the consent of the counsel appearing for the petitioner, who had agreed to withdraw
the writ petition since the relief with regard to the claim of back wages was partially granted to the
petitioner.
(2.) TO explain the controversy, the salient facts which may be essential for disposal of this appeal, are to the following effect: '' The petitioner was dismissed from service on the charge that he had
income disproportionate to his known sources and he was conducting business in the name of his
wife, while discharging duties as a Guard in the respondent - State Bank of India. In view of the
charge, which was found to have been established, an order of dismissal was passed, which he
had assailed by way of a writ petition. The writ petition was allowed and the order of dismissal was
set aside, against which an appeal was preferred by the respondent -Bank and the matter was
remanded by the Appellate Court to the appellate authority being the disciplinary authority. The
disciplinary authority, after considering the matter, set aside the order of dismissal but did not grant
back - wages to the petitioner.
The petitioner, therefore, filed another writ petition against the denial of back -wages
before the learned Single Judge Claiming back -wages. The said writ petition was
dismissed with a clarification that the petitioner will be deemed to have remained under
suspension between the dates of his dismissal till the date of his reinstatement which
meant that he will be. paid 50% of the back wages equivalent to subsistence allowance
for the said period treating him under suspension. This order was passed with consent
of the counsel for the petitioner, Ms. Rita Kumari, and it was recorded that the petitioner
is satisfied with the said clarification and she may be permitted to withdraw the writ
petition.
Curiously, the petitioner thereafter filed a review petition and challenged the aforesaid
order stating therein that the withdrawal of the writ petition by his counsel was improper
and breach of faith as the same should not have been withdrawn since he had
not' given his consent foregoing the back -wages which was denied by the
disciplinary authority. However, the review petition was dismissed. Hence, this appeal
has been preferred against the order passed in the review petition dismissing the same
under the aforesaid circumstance.
Learned counsel for the appellant vehemently urged that even if the counsel for the petitioner/appellant herein had withdrawn the appeal due to inadvertence and misunderstanding,
the same ought not to have been given weightage on the averment of the counsel for the
petitioner/appellant and the learned Single Judge should have considered the matter on merit as
to whether back -wage was wrongly denied to him.
(3.) WE , however, do not feel persuaded to accept this submission that even though the counsel had withdrawn the writ petition after partial relief was granted to the petitioner and he was entitled
to 50% of back wages by treating the period of his dismissal as period under suspension, review
should have been entertained on the ground that the same was accepted by the counsel without
proper instruction from his client, i.e. the petitioner/appellant herein.;
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