[Service Law] Ex-Parte Inquiry Does Not Justify Returning Findings Without Evidence: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that conducting an ex parte inquiry does not grant the Inquiry Officer the freedom to return findings against an employee without any evidence.Justice Vivek Singh Thakur & Justice Ranjan Sharma: “Ex Parte Inquiry does not mean that Inquiry Officer is free to return findings in favour of Department but against the employee without any evidence on record”.Background Facts:The petitioner, Vinod Kumar, served as a Superintendent Grade-II in...

Adverse Remarks On Employee's Integrity Must Be Based On Conclusive Evidence In Disciplinary Proceedings : Calcutta High Court

A Division bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty & Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra held that adverse remarks on an employee's integrity must be based on conclusive findings in disciplinary proceedings, and a person who has earned reputation cannot be ousted through imposition of a stigma on the basis of perverse findings. Background Facts The petitioner was appointed as a Branch Manager in the Central Bank of India on 29.03.2010. He was...

Employee Transferred From Central Govt Scheme To State University Sanctioned Post, Not Objected By State Govt, Can't Be Denied Retiral Benefits : Calcutta HC

A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das De held that an employee transferred from central government scheme to state university sanctioned post without any objections from the state Government at the time of transfer, can't be denied retiral benefits. Background Facts The respondent was appointed as a Field Assistant Grade-II...

Gauhati HC Reinstates Officers Accused In APSC Cash-For-Jobs Scam, Says Discharge Can't Be Sustained Without Orders From Appropriate Govt

The Gauhati High Court recently directed the Assam Government to reinstate 52 officers who were appointed in service pursuant to their selection through Combined Competitive Examination (Mains), 2013 and 2014 conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) and were discharged from service allegedly for their involvement in cash for job scam, on the ground that State had not passed any...

Penalty Can't Be Imposed Based On Vague And Inconclusive Inquiry Findings: Himachal Pradesh High Court

Himachal Pradesh High Court quashed a penalty imposed on a government doctor, holding that a vague and inconclusive inquiry report can't be used to impose penalty or take disciplinary action. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur & Justice Ranjan Sharma: “Therefore, when an inquiry report is accepted which does not conclude that charge against petitioner had been proved, it could not have...

State Should Not Use Temporary Appointments To Escape Regularization And Avoid Responsibilities: Himachal Pradesh High Court

Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the State and its functionaries can't use unfair practices to deny regularization to temporary employees who have completed required service years, stating that keeping employees in temporary posts to avoid granting them the benefits of regularization is exploitative and legally unjustified.Justice Vivek Singh Thakur & Justice Ranjan Sharma: “State...

Lessee Falls Within Definition Of Occupier And Is Bound To Deposit EPF Contributions: Himachal Pradesh High Court

Himachal Pradesh High Court held that a lessee who had control over the operations of a factory fell within the definition of "occupier" under the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and was therefore legally bound to deduct and deposit Employees Provident Fund contributions into the statutory fund. Justice Rakesh Kainthla: “Therefore, the petitioner...

Medical Reimbursement Can't Be Denied On Flimsy Grounds When Claim Is Admissible Under State Policy: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that a medical reimbursement claim cannot be denied on flimsy or irrelevant grounds when it was admissible under the beneficial policy of the State Government. A Division bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur & Justice Ranjan Sharma held as follows; “Once a medical claim is admissible in terms of beneficial policy of the State, the same...

Valid BPL Certificate Alone Sufficient For Award Of BPL Marks; Separate Income Certificate Not Mandatory : Himachal Pradesh HC

A Division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma held that a valid BPL certificate issued by the competent authority is sufficient for awarding BPL marks in recruitment; requiring a separate income certificate is unjustified. Background Facts The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) issued...

SMC Retains Disciplinary Powers Until Provincialisation Notification Is Officially Published & Communicated : Gauhati HC

The Gauhati High Court comprising of Justice Kardak Ete held that the disciplinary powers of the School Management Committee (SMC) remain valid until the date of publication and communication of the provincialisation notification, regardless of any earlier retrospective effective date Background Facts The petitioner was working as an Assistant Teacher at Amaitilla Lower Primary...

Karnataka High Court Directs Regularisation Of Mangalore Workers Serving Through Outsource Agency Subsequent To Order Abolishing Contract Labour

The Karnataka High Court has come to the aid of 16 contract workers employed in the water supply department of Mangalore Mahanagara Palike, and it has directed the corporation to regularise their services.Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav allowed the petition filed by Bhagwan Das and others and said “The order of regularization is to be passed within 60 days from the date of receipt of copy of...

Teaching Experience Prior To Recognition Of Medical College Can't Be Counted Towards Eligibility : Himachal Pradesh HC

A Division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising of Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice and Justice Ranjan Sharma held that teaching experience acquired before the formal recognition or establishment of a medical college under Section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, cannot be treated as valid for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment to...