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High Court of Punjab and HaryanaRSA/680/2021disposed of

Madhu Bala v. Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd And ORS

2023-05-12Mr. Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi7 pages

 

 

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*-   # & "4. Having heard learned Counsel for the parties and perusing the paper book, we are of the considered view that the order dated 11.10.2004 (P!12) dismissing the appeal filed by the petitioner is not sustainable in the eyes of law. A perusal of Regulation 18 of the Regulations shows that all the rules of Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1987, as applicable to the State of Haryana (for brevity, 'the 1987 Rules') would apply in matters relating to discipline, penalty and appeals to the members of the service of HUDA till such time HUDA frames its own regulations subject to the condition that the nature of penalty and the authority to impose such penalties as well as the appellate authority would be as

 specified in Appendix C and CI of the Regulations. Rule 9 of 1987 Rules recognises the right of appeal of an employee and according to Rule 11 the appellate authority is required to pass orders on the appeal. There is an obligation imposed by Rule 11 and the same reads as under:

11. Order which may be passed by appellate authority, !

(1) In the case of appeal against an order under rule 9 or any penalty specified in rule 4, the appellate authority shall consider;

(a) whether the facts on which the order was based have been established;

(b) where the facts established afford sufficient ground for taking action; and (c) whether the penalty is excessive, adequate or inadequate and after such consideration, shall pass such order as it thinks proper;

Provided that no penalty shall be increased unless opportunity is given to the person concerned to show cause why such penalty not be increased.

(2) An authority from whose order, an appeal is preferred under these rules, shall give effect to any order made by the appellate authority.

5. A perusal of the aforementioned rule shows that appellate authority is under an obligation to consider various aspects. It is required to be considered as to whether the facts on which the order is based were established and such facts afford sufficient ground for taking the action. It is further required to be considered whether the penalty is excessive, adequate or inadequate and then order by the appellate authority is required to be passed.

6. We may observed that the appellate authority is the only competent authority for re!appreciating evidence and to reach

/ a conclusion different from the once recorded by the punishing authority. The Civil Court or the High Court in writ jurisdiction would not be competent to reverse the findings of fact except on the limited ground that the findings were bad, perverse and being without any evidence. (See: Apparel Export Promotion Counsel v. A.K. Chopra . Moreover, it is well settled that reasons are necessary link between the evidence/facts and the conclusions reached. In that regard reliance may be placed on the judgment of Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of Union of India v. M.L. Copper .

7. It is further evident from perusal of Rule 9 of the Rules that the appellate authority is required to 'consider' the case of the appellant and then pass order. The use of word 'consider' in Rule 9 necessarily implies due application of mind. For the aforementioned proposition we draw support from a judgment of Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of R.P. Bhatt v. Union of India . Dealing with a similar rule, it has been observed in para 4 as under:

4. The word 'consider' in Rule 27(2) implies 'due application of mind'. It is clear upon the terms of Rule 27(2) that the appellate authority is required to consider

(1) whether the procedure laid down in the Rules has been complied with; and if not, whether such non! compliance has resulted in violation of any provisions of the Constitution or in failure of justice; (2) whether the findings of the disciplinary authority are warranted by the evidence on record; and (3) whether the penalty imposed is adequate; and thereafter pass orders confirming, enhancing etc. the penalty, or may remit back the case that the authority which imposed the same. Rule 27(2) casts a duty on the appellate authority to

consider the relevant factors set forth in Clauses (a), (b) and (c) thereof.

8. The wholesome principle stated in the aforementioned para would fully apply to the facts of the present case. It becomes evident that the appellate order is a cryptic order and does not fulfil the requirement of Rule 9 of the Rules. There is no reason given. The order has simply been conveyed to the petitioner that his appeal has been dismissed. Therefore, the order is liable to be set aside."

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