LawforAll

advocatemmmohan

My photo
since 1985 practicing as advocate in both civil & criminal laws

WELCOME TO LEGAL WORLD

WELCOME TO MY LEGAL WORLD - SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE

Thursday, March 4, 2021

whether the Tribunal proceeded correctly in passing the final direction to impose appropriate minor penalty. The Tribunal itself did not impose the punishment but left it to the authority concerned (for appropriate course of action). It was of the view that considering the findings of procedural lapses against the respondent, the appropriate punishment could only be a minor penalty and not a major penalty. With this again, we are in agreement with the course of action adopted. The nature of charges found against the respondent can hardly be one to call for a major penalty, keeping in mind that there was no bribery charge. Anyone can make mistakes. The consequences of mistakes should not be unduly harsh. We are, thus, of the view that the direction of the Tribunal is what is liable to be sustained.

 whether the Tribunal proceeded correctly in passing the final direction to impose appropriate minor penalty. The Tribunal itself did not impose the punishment but left it to the authority concerned (for appropriate course of action). It was of the view that considering the findings of procedural lapses against the respondent, the appropriate punishment could only be a minor penalty and not a major penalty. With this again, we are in agreement with the course of action adopted. The nature of charges found against the respondent can hardly be one to call for a major penalty, keeping in mind that there was no bribery charge. Anyone can make mistakes. The consequences of mistakes should not be unduly harsh. We are, thus, of the view that the direction of the Tribunal is what is liable to be sustained. 


 Reportable

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 3592-3593 OF 2020

UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. ….APPELLANTS

VERSUS

P. BALASUBRAHMANAYAM ….RESPONDENT

J U D G M E N T

SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, J.

1. The respondent joined the Department of Posts as Postal Assistant in

the year 1991 and earned his promotion from time to time to Assistant

Superintendent of Posts in the year 2008, a Group-B Gazetted cadre post. A

charge memo bearing No. Vig/105/10 dated 13.04.2010 (hereinafter referred

as “the Memo”) was issued to him by the Disciplinary Authority, Department

of Posts under Rule-14 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control

and Appeal) Rules, 1965 (hereinafter referred as “the 1965 Rules”). The

Memo enumerated 9 charges. Suffice to say that certain charges related to

procedural lapses in discharge of duties while another set of charges dealt

1

with alleged illegal gratification received by way of bribes. Accordingly,

violation of duties under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 was

alleged.

2. The respondent contested the Memo at the threshold itself on the

ground that the charges included allegations of bribery and thus had a

vigilance angle. As such, it was averred that it could not have been issued

without prior approval of the Central Vigilance Officer (hereinafter referred as

“CVO”) as mandated by a circular dated 18.01.2005 of the Department of

Posts, Ministry of Communication and I.T. (hereinafter referred to as “the

Circular”). The Circular advised that all cases of officers below the level of

Group ‘A’ involving vigilance angle should be referred to the Directorate for

consideration and advice by the CVO of the relevant department. Even for

closing the cases after a preliminary enquiry report, the procedure was

stated to be mandatory. The circular reads as under:

“Confidential

No.7-4/CVC/2004-Vig

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & I.T.

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001

Dated: 18.1.2005

To

All Principal Chief Postmaster General,

All Chief Postmaster General,

Director Postal Staff College India, Ghaziabad

Additional DG, Army Postal Service,

Chief Engineer (Civil), Headquarters

All Directors, Postal Training Centres

(By name)

2

Subject: Jurisdiction of Central Vigilance Commission in retain (sic)

to Officers of the level of Group ‘B’ Gazetted.

……

I am directed to invite attention to this office Memo of even

number dated 31st May 2004 on the subject captioned above vide

which a copy of office order No.98/VGL/15 dated 16.04.2004 from

Central Vigilance Commission was sent to you for

information/necessary action as also for bringing the same to the

notice of all concerned.

2. It may be recalled that as per the previous guidelines vigilance

cases of the Gazetted Officers of the Central Government and its

equivalent in other Government Organizations were to be referred to

the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for advice. However, vide

their aforesaid Office Order dated 16.04.2004, the Commission have

delegated their powers to the Central Government

Ministries/Organisations with regard to vigilance cases of Gazetted

Officers below Group ‘A’ of Central Government, viz., officers of the

level of Group ‘B’ Gazetted.

3. While delegating their powers, the CVC felt that appropriate

expertise is available to the CVO and expected that the CVO would

exercise proper check and supervision over vigilance cases of officers

of the level of Group ‘B’ Gazetted and would also ensure that the cases

of these officers are disposed of expeditiously within the time frame

stipulated by the Commission and further that the punishment

awarded to these officers would commensurate with the gravity of the

misconduct established on his part. The Commission is further noted

that if they come across any matter, which in their opinion, is (sic) not

been handled properly, it may recommended (sic) its review by the

appropriate authority or may give such directions as it considers

appropriate.

4. In view of the above delegations and expectations of the CVC, all

the Heads of Circles and other concerned authorities are hereby

advised that all cases of officers below the level of Group ‘A’ involving

vigilance angle should be continued to be referred to the Directorate

for consideration and advise by the CVO of the Department. The CVO,

may in turn, advise for closure of the case/initiation of major/minor

penalty action/any other administrative action as deemed fit and

proper in the circumstances of the case as also keeping in view of the

recommendation of the Head of the Circle.

3

5. It may again be reiterated that above procedure is mandatory

and is to be followed in all cases involving vigilance angle including

those ones where the Heads of the Circle are of the opinion that the

case needs to be closed, after evaluation of the preliminary inquiry

report.

6. The CVC has further reiterated that their advice would also be

necessary in cases of difference of opinion between the disciplinary

authority and the CVO with regard to the action to be taken against

officers who are not within the jurisdiction of the Commission if these

differences cannot be resolved with the intervention of the Secretary of

the Ministry or Head of the Department concerned.

7. Further, in respect of composite cases involving Group ‘A’ level

officers and other Group ‘B’ or even lower level officials, the advice of

the Central Vigilance Commission will be required as before.

8. The Heads of Circles may please note the above instructions and

ensure strict compliance of the same.

Sd/-

(S.C. BARMA)

DIRECTOR (VIG)

Copy also forwarded for information/necessary action to:

1. Sr. PPS to Secretary (Posts).

2. Member(P), Member (D), Member (O).

3. Sr. D.D.G.(C.P.).

4. CGM, PLI/CGM(BD)/JS&FA.

5. All DDsG/Secretary (Postal Services Board)

6. ADG(Vig-1), ADG(Vig-II) & ADG(Vig-III), Postal Directorate.

7. Guard Filed.

Sd/-

(P.H. PILLAI)

SECTION OFFICER(VIG)”

3. In this background, the respondent assailed the Memo by filing OA No.

421 of 2015 before the Central Administrative Tribunal at Hyderabad

(hereinafter referred to as “the Tribunal”). The validity of the Memo was

inter alia assailed on the grounds that (a) the mandatory advice of the CVO

4

had not been obtained; (b) the charge memo was vague, non-specific, and in

violation of sub-Rule (i)(3) of Rule 14 of the 1965 Rules, and (c) that there

had been an inordinate delay in concluding the proceedings. The appellant

department contested the petition and the tribunal decided against the

respondent by order dated 19.09.2016. We may notice at this stage that the

litigation before the Tribunal was not the first round of litigation but was

preceded by earlier petitions being filed. The Tribunal opined that the issue

of the prior approval of CVO had already been dealt with in an earlier

proceeding initiated by the respondent in O.A. No. 861 of 2013. There, it was

concluded that the approval was more of a safeguard against dropping of

inquiry proceedings against delinquent officials on fictitious grounds.

Additionally, the delay in concluding the proceedings was held to be

attributable to the respondent on account of repeated petitions alleging bias

and related appeals preferred by him. In this context, a direction was issued

to conclude the inquiry within 6 months. This order was assailed by the

respondent by filing a Writ Petition No. 42546 of 2016 on the sole ground

that the Memo had not been issued in compliance of the Circular. The High

Court opined that the Circular did not mandate any prior approval of the CVO

before issuance of the memo. It was also noted that not all charges against

the respondent revolved around allegations of bribery. The respondent then

approached this Court by way of SLP(C) No.9571 of 2017.

5

4. Meanwhile, the departmental proceeding against the respondent

culminated in an adverse report against him bearing, Memo No.

Vig/Misc./VM/2012/II dated 24.03.2017 (hereinafter referred to as “the 2017

Memo”) was issued. In terms of the 2017 Memo, none of the charges of

bribery were made out against the respondent but all charges relating to

procedural lapses on the part of the respondent were held to have been

proved. The respondent was inflicted with a punishment of compulsory

retirement from service with immediate effect.

5. SLP(C) No.9571 of 2017 was listed after this on 05.04.2017 and was

disposed of in view of the aforesaid final order having been passed but with

the liberty to the respondent to re-agitate the issue by challenging the order

of punishment in the 2017 Memo.

6. Pursuant to this, the next round was initiated by the respondent by

filing OA No. 344 of 2017 before the Tribunal assailing the Memo inter alia on

the ground of non-compliance with the Circular. The Tribunal gave its verdict

on 27.02.2019. It is material to note that the Tribunal took the view that,

since the bribery charges were not proved, the case of the respondent could

not be said to be prejudiced by not referring it to the CVO. Additionally, on

the argument of the respondent that sufficient opportunity to produce

documents and witnesses was not provided, the Tribunal found that the

procedural lapses had been found against the respondent on the basis of

6

certain admissions and explanations offered by him. As such, it was felt that

on the appreciation of evidence, the conclusion was just and proper.

7. Thereafter, the Tribunal proceeded to examine the issue of

proportionality of punishment. It found that the punishment of compulsory

retirement was unduly harsh and shockingly disproportionate considering

that none of the bribery charges had been found sustainable. To that extent,

the order of the disciplinary authority was set aside with a direction to

impose an appropriate minor penalty instead within 8 weeks.

8. This order was assailed by both the parties before the High Court of

Andhra Pradesh by filing Writ Petitions Nos. 3646 and 8606 of 2019. The

respondent sought quashing of the proceedings ab initio on the ground that

the Circular, read with Rule 12 of the Postal Manual Volume III, would totally

vitiate the entire proceedings.

“Postal Manual Volume III

Consultation with Central Vigilance Commission

12. In all Vigilance cases relating to Gazetted officers, the

Central Vigilance Commission should be consulted during the

progress of the case at the following stages:

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

(v) The report of the Enquiry Officer conducting oral

enquiry into any departmental proceedings together with the full

record of the case should be forwarded to the Central Vigilance

Commission who will advise the disciplinary authority concerned

as to the course of further action to be taken.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx”

7

The appellants, on the other hand, were aggrieved by the direction on the

issue of punishment.

9. In terms of the impugned judgement of the High Court dated

22.07.2019, it was opined at the outset that there may be some difficulty in

distinguishing vigilance cases from non-vigilance cases. The Circular and

Rule 12 had to be read in the context of safeguarding the interest of the

employees and to avert initiation of disciplinary proceedings in unwarranted

circumstances. The case of the respondent was said to have a vigilance

angle as it involved allegations of bribery. On the plea of the appellants that

the issue was resolved in the earlier proceedings, it was held that there was

no finality to that issue. The effect of Rule 12 of the Postal Manual had not

been considered before, and no finding was recorded for the same. It was

also noted that the Supreme Court, while disposing SLP No. 9571 of 2017

arising out of the earlier had given liberty to agitate this issue. The writ

petition filed by the respondent was allowed with an order that the direction

of imposition of minor penalty be set aside. The petition filed by the

appellant was dismissed and the authorities were directed to reinstate the

respondent into service with all consequential benefits.

10. Leave was granted in the present matter on 29.10.2020 and the

contempt proceedings were directed to be kept in abeyance.

8

11. Mr. K.M. Nataraj, learned Addl. Solicitor General substantively urged on

the premise that there was no mandatory requirement to obtain CVO’s

advice before initiating disciplinary proceedings. More so, this procedural

requirement was co-relatable to vigilance cases alone. In the alternative, it

was urged that this, in any case, would not vitiate the entire proceedings as

the administrative rules, regulations and instructions would not have

statutory force and would not give rise to any legal rights in favour of any

parties. In this behalf, reliance was placed in the judgment of Union of India

and ors. vs. Alok Kumar

1 where a pari materia circular of the Central

Vigilance Commission was considered. In that behalf, it was opined that the

test which is to be applied is whether any prejudice was caused to the

employee by not obtaining of the CVC’s advice at the first stage. It was

concluded that no prejudice had been caused in that case.

12. Learned ASG also made a reference to Chief Commercial Manager,

South Central Railway, Secunderabad & Ors. vs. G. Ratnam & Ors.

2

 In the

given facts of the case, Indian Railways Vigilance Manual, 1996, more

specifically paras 704 and 705, were examined qua the instructions

contained therein and the consequence of non-compliance thereof by the

investigating officer dealing with the departmental trap. The instructions

were held to be procedural in character and not of a substantive nature and

they were meant not for the delinquent officer but for guidance of the

1 (2010) 5 SCC 349

2 (2007) 8 SCC 212

9

investigating officer. Thus, a violation thereof ipso facto was held not to

vitiate the departmental proceedings.

13. On the other hand, the respondent, who appeared in-person,

contended that the Circular was statutory in nature as it was issued under

the authority of the Central Vigilance Commission, being a statutory body.

Thus, the procedure prescribed by the Circular and Rule 12(v) of the Postal

Manual Vol. III was mandatory, which was not complied with. The respondent

relied on a few judgments in this behalf3

. It may be observed that the same

were generic in character on the point of non compliance with executive

instructions. Thus, if procedural safeguards are provided, these judgments

note, the same should be observed as they prevent any arbitrary exercise of

power. In fact, in one of the cases, the expression used is “a departmental

instruction cannot totally be ignored”4

 [emphasis supplied]. The principle

propounded was that any wanton or deliberate deviation in implementation

of the rules could breed indiscipline among the services and amount to

undue favour to some while denial of equality among many5

. Suffice to say,

that in order that such executive instructions have force of statutory rules, it

must be shown that they have been issued under the authority conferred on

3 Veerender Kumar Dubey v. Chief of Army Staff (2016) 2 SCC 627; Moni Shankar v. Union of

India (2008) 3 SCC 484; Jt. Action Committee of Airlines v. Director General of Civil Aviation

(2011) 5 SCC 435; A.N. Sehgal & Ors. v. Raje Ram Sheoran 1992 Supp.(1) SCC 304; Union of

India v. K.P. Joseph & Ors. (1973) 1 SCC 194; Chief Commercial Manager v. G. Ratnam (2007)

8 SCC 212

4 Moni Shankar case (supra)

5 A.N. Sehgal case (supra)

10

the Central Government or the State Government by some statutes or under

some provisions of the Constitution providing therefor6

.

14. We may add that the respondent also sought to contend that the

action of the appellants was retributive in character as he had earlier

endeavoured to highlight the manipulations in the result of Postal Service

Group-B cadre examinations and the legal proceedings that followed

therefrom.

15. We have given thought to the aforesaid limited controversy and

examined the records. We are of the view that the reliance on the Circular

really does not help the case of the respondent inter alia for the reason that

once it is found that the case does not have a vigilance angle, albeit after

conclusion of inquiry, no prejudice can be said to have caused to the

respondent. If we may say so, the fairness of the departmental proceedings

is obvious on the fact that all charges relating to bribery had been held in

favour of the respondent and those charges have been rejected. The only

charges found proved are of procedural irregularities, over which there are

concurrent findings of the relevant authorities based on certain admissions

made by the respondent himself. The proceedings have also got prolonged

because at every stage the respondent sought to challenge them in judicial

forums, and that too not very successfully.

6 Chief Commercial Manager case (supra)

11

16. We find it difficult to disturb the findings of the disciplinary authority

insofar as the procedural lapses are concerned. It really shows that there was

negligence on the part of the respondent in performing his duties. That being

so, we do not feel it was appropriate for the High Court to have set aside the

result of the proceedings against the respondent by giving him a clean chit

on the issue as a consequence of the Circular not being followed. It would be

right to say that suppose these charges of bribery had not been levelled and

only procedural lapses were examined, this plea would not have been open

to the respondent.

17. In the facts of the case, the result has arisen after the inquiry but then,

at the cost of repetition we may say, there are no adverse consequences to

the respondent with respect to the bribery charges, but in fact favourable

consequences.

18. We are, thus, of the view that the course adopted by the Tribunal was

the appropriate course of action, i.e., the procedural lapses having been

found and the bribery allegation having been rejected the appropriate course

would have been to examine only the issue of disproportionality of

punishment.

19. It is correct to say that judicial forums do not sit as an appellate

authority to substitute their mind with the mind of the disciplinary authority

insofar as the finding is concerned. However, disproportionality of

12

punishment is a concept certainly not unknown to service jurisprudence and

has received consideration inter alia of this Court7

. This is what the Tribunal

proposed to do. We may examine the finding of the Tribunal on the issue of

disproportionality of punishment and are in complete agreement with the

view that the punishment of compulsory retirement was completely

disproportionate and harsh, keeping in mind the finding arrived at by the

disciplinary authority. It, thus, seems to appear that the charges originally

levelled may have persuaded the concerned authority to impose

punishment; losing site of the fact that the allegations qua bribery had not

been found against the respondent.

20. The question is whether the Tribunal proceeded correctly in passing the

final direction to impose appropriate minor penalty. The Tribunal itself did not

impose the punishment but left it to the authority concerned (for appropriate

course of action). It was of the view that considering the findings of

procedural lapses against the respondent, the appropriate punishment could

only be a minor penalty and not a major penalty. With this again, we are in

agreement with the course of action adopted. The nature of charges found

against the respondent can hardly be one to call for a major penalty, keeping

in mind that there was no bribery charge. Anyone can make mistakes. The

consequences of mistakes should not be unduly harsh. We are, thus, of the

view that the direction of the Tribunal is what is liable to be sustained.

7 S.R. Tewari v. Union of India and Anr. (2013) 6 SCC 602

13

21. The result of the aforesaid is that the impugned judgment of the High

Court is set aside and that of the Tribunal is restored. Necessary

consideration not having taken place, the appellants will do the needful in

terms of the order of the Tribunal within 8 weeks from today and giving all

consequential benefits thereof to the respondent. We hope that this long

drawn out service dispute would now come to an end after almost a decade.

22. The appeals are allowed in the aforesaid terms leaving parties to bear

their own costs.

……..……………………………….J.

 [SANJAY KISHAN KAUL]

……..……………………………….J.

 [HRISHIKESH ROY]

NEW DELHI.

MARCH 04, 2021.

14