Rahul Sudamrao Jadhav v. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Mr.P.M.Pradhan for the petitioner. Ms.K.R.Punjabi for the Respondent/Corporation. ---- CORAM : P.B.MAJMUDAR & MRS.MRIDULA BHATKAR,JJ DATE : 7/12/2010. ORAL JUDGMENT :- ( PER : MRS.MRIDULA BHATKAR,J) 1 The petitioner in the departmental inquiry was found guilty and by way of punishment, his basic salary was permanently stepped down by three increments for two years. The order dated

18.12.2002 issued by Chief Works Officers Respondent/corporation imposing the punishment, and another is 2 wp3003.03.sxw dated 5.6.2003 confirming the said punishment are challenged by the petitioner. The petitioner was working as a Divisional Labour and Welfare officer in Mumbai Municipal Corporation i.e Respondent No.1. He was charged for the offence of demanding and accepting bribe of Rs.30,000/- with the help of one peon viz. Khandagale from one Sunil Jadhav for giving him promise to get the employment in Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Offence was registered against the petitioner at C.R.No.149 of 2001 under Section 420 read with Section 34 of IPC and he was arrested by Navghar police station on 23.10.2001 and he remained in police custody up to 25.10.2001. As petitioner was detained in the custody for more than 48 hours, as per MCSR Rules, he was suspended on 6.11.2001 from service on the ground of committing serious mis-conduct. Respondents initiated departmental inquiry against the petitioner and in the said inquiry charge of mis-conduct was proved against the petitioner. The petitioner challenged this order by filing an appeal to the Respondent No.1/Corporation. However, appellate authority confirmed the finding of the inquiry officer. 3 wp3003.03.sxw 2 By way of this petition, the petitioner has challenged the order of punishment on the ground that inquiry was not conducted in a proper manner. Learned Counsel Mr.Pradhan for the petitioner submitted that the inquiry was conducted in illegal and erroneous manner and the punishment order is required to be quashed and set aside. The petitioner has also raised number of other contentions in the petition. However, Mr. Pradhan learned Counsel for the petitioner challenged the impugned orders mainly on the ground that the inquiry was devoid of principles of natural justice. He argued that the complainant-Sunil Vitthal Jadhav though appeared before the inquiry officer for examination-in-chief and in cross-examination, the petitioner had asked him only 7 questions and thereafter he did not turn up on the next scheduled date though the inquiry was adjourned from time to time. Mr. Pradhan learned Counsel for the petitioner argued that the petitioner did not get an opportunity to cross-examine the Complainant and thus his right to cross-examination was denied in the inquiry. The finding of the inquiry officer is based on the 4 wp3003.03.sxw evidence of this witness who did not face the cross-examination and therefore, the finding was bad in law and contrary to the settled principles of law and procedure of the inquiry. 3 It is true that the complainant Sunil Vitthal Jadhav was not examined. The inquiry officer has given an opportunity to cross- examine all the other witnesses who had appeared before him. The petitioner and co-delinquent Mr.Khandagale were given an opportunity to cross-examine each other. In departmental inquiry, strict rules of Evidence Act is not applicable and the finding can be based by the disciplinary authority on the basis of available evidence on record. Yardstick of beyond reasonable doubt is not applied while measuring the standard of proof but the cumulative effect projecting the truth is required to be considered. Non- examination of the complainant cannot be considered in itself as a procedural flaw in the departmental inquiry. In the present case, the petitioner could not demonstrate specifically the prejudice caused to him. The Respondents have followed all the guidelines of the departmental inquiry. Learned Counsel Mr. Pradhan in 5 wp3003.03.sxw support of his submissions, placed reliance on the ratio in the case of Union of India Vs. Mohammed Ramzan Khan reported in AIR 1991 SC 471. While discussing the legality of Article-311 (as amended by Constitution 42nd Amendment Act), it was held that the delinquent has right to copy of the report of his inquiry. In the present case, record shows that a copy of the report was furnished to him and the ratio in the said ruling is of no help to the petitioner. 4 The delinquent should be given a reasonable opportunity to defend himself effectively and whether such an opportunity was given or not is a question of fact and depends upon facts and circumstances of each case. Record of the present case shows that the delinquent had fully participated in the inquiry. It will be useful to refer the observations made in the following cases decided by the Supreme Court. (1) Major U.R.Bhat Vs. Union of India (AIR 1962 SC 1344) - It is held by the Supreme Court that inquiry officer is not bound by strict rules of law of evidence. (2) Manik S.Mali Vs. Union of India (2009(3) Mah.L.J 293) – It 6 wp3003.03.sxw is held that the principles underlined appreciation of evidence adduced in criminal case are not strictly applicable to departmental proceedings and strict proof is not necessary to punish delinquent in departmental proceedings. 5 The submission of the learned Counsel that complainant Sunil Vitthal Jadhav faced only 7 questions in the cross- examination and thereafter remained absent during the inquiry is factually correct. This fact is mentioned in the inquiry report. While giving finding, inquiry officer has elaborately dealt with and relied on the evidence of the witnesses. However, there is nothing on record to show that the petitioner demanded that Complainant should be available for the cross-examination before the inquiry officer and that such request of the complainant was turned down by the inquiry officer. 6 In the present case it cannot be said that departmental inquiry is vitiated in any manner or principle of natural justice is 7 wp3003.03.sxw not complied with. Petitioner was given an opportunity to lead his evidence and was given permission to cross-examine the witnesses which he has availed. Considering the aforesaid aspect, we do not find any infirmity or illegality in the matter of departmental inquiry carried out by the Respondent. We accordingly, find no substance in the petition. Hence petition is dismissed. (MRS.MRIDULA BHATKAR,J) (P.B.MAJMUDAR,J)