At the outset, it may be noted that the High Court applied the wrong
test in exercising its power of judicial review with reference to disciplinary
proceedings. Disciplinary proceedings are not quasi criminal in nature. A
disciplinary inquiry is conducted by the employer to inquire into a charge or
misconduct pertaining to a breach of the rules and regulations governing
the service of the employer. The standard of proof is not that governed by a
criminal trial.
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO 9520 OF 2019
Uttarakhand Transport Corporation Vs. Heera Singh Parihar
Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, J
Dated:December 18, 2019
1 Leave granted.
2 This appeal arises from a judgment of the Division Bench of the High
Court of Uttarakhand dated 10 October 2018. The High Court has set aside
the findings of the disciplinary inquiry and the award of punishment of a
stoppage of eight increments holding that the nature of a disciplinary inquiry
is quasi criminal.
3 Notice was issued by this Court on 11 February 2019 in pursuance
of which the respondent has appeared.
4 We have heard learned counsel for the parties.
5 At the outset, it may be noted that the High Court applied the wrong
test in exercising its power of judicial review with reference to disciplinary
proceedings. Disciplinary proceedings are not quasi criminal in nature. A
disciplinary inquiry is conducted by the employer to inquire into a charge or
misconduct pertaining to a breach of the rules and regulations governing
the service of the employer. The standard of proof is not that governed by a
criminal trial. In exercising judicial review the test is whether the findings
are based on some evidence. The High Court may interfere with only in a
case where there is no evidence to sustain the charge of misconduct.
6 In the present case, the respondent was appointed as a driver in the
Uttarakhand Transport Corporation on 25 May 1989. The alleged incident
took place on 4 January 2005 at about 1930 hours when an Assistant
Regional Manager was discussing the time table of the depot At that stage,
the respondent is alleged to have entered Time Keeper’s room and abused
and assaulted a colleague driver.
7 A charge-sheet was issued to the respondent on 12 January 2005.
The inquiry officer came to the conclusion that charges were proved and
submitted an inquiry report on 1 April 2005. A notice of show cause was
issued by the Regional Manager on 30 April 2005. The disciplinary
authority, after cause was shown, came to the conclusion that the charge of
misconduct was proved and accordingly, by its order dated 26 August
2005, imposed a penalty of the stoppage of eight increments. The
respondent unsuccessfully pursued the claim against the disciplinary
proceedings before the Pubic Service Tribunal, Uttarakhand. The Public
Service Tribunal by its order dated 30 September 2011 dismissed the claim
petition. The Division Bench of the High Court has set aside the disciplinary
inquiry on an evaluation which is confined to one sentence which reads as
follows:
“However, the fact of the matter is that the case of the
prosecution has not been supported by the complainant
himself i.e. Sri Nand Kishor.”
The High Court also observed (as noted above) that the nature of a
disciplinary proceeding is quasi criminal. The High Court has evidently
acted with haste and ignored the fact that besides the driver who was
assaulted, there was other evidence which had been adduced during the
course of the disciplinary inquiry which supported the charge of misconduct.
This is evident from the evidence of the Assistant Regional Manager. The
Enquiry Report is extracted below, in that regard:
“Thereafter, complainant Shri Khushi Ram, Assistant
Regional Manager, Tanakpur appeared and made statement that
on 04.01.2005 he was discussing time table in time office at
about 7:30 p.m. with Shri Satpal Ji, Assistant Regional Manager
and Shri Prateek Jain, Complier Head-Quarter Dehradun, at that
time Nand Kishor, driver was at diesel room where he was filing
diesel in the vehicles. At that time Shri Heera Singh, driver
came to operational room and started abusing and assaulting
Shri Nand Kishor, driver as written by Shri Nand Kishor in his
report. I went to save him, Heera Singh, driver pushed me also
and abuse me. Written report was sent to Regional Manager,
Tanakpur vide letter no. 4329 dated 05.01.2005 which bears my
signatures. The same is proved
The delinquent driver has been given full opportunity of
defence to cross examine the complainant. Delinquent driver
asked the complainant, Sir, when I pushed you. Complainant
replied that on 04.01.2005 at 7:30 pm in the presence of
Shri Satpal ARM and Prateek Jain when I was trying to protect
Shri Nand Kishor and another, I was pushed and abused.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Shri R.P.Bhatt, Station Incharge, Tanakpur whose
comments are recorded on the report of driver Shri Nand Kishor,
has stated on 04.01.2005 at 7:30 pm he was preparing time
table on computer in the office of Station Superintendent,
suddenly, on hearing loud noise all of them came out. There
was abuses between Shri Heera Singh, drive and Shri Nand
Kishor, driver while filling the diesel. They have reached to the
stage of assault. Thereafter Heera Singh, driver went out. The
said remark has been written by me on the report submitted
under the signature of Shri Nand Kishor and the same is
proved.”
8 It is true that the colleague of the respondent who is alleged to have
been abused and assaulted by the complaint changed his version.
However, having regard to the evidence of the Assistant Regional Manager
and the Station in-charge, as noted above, both of whom were present on
the spot and gave accounts of what had transpired, the charge of
misconduct stood proved. It cannot be held that the punishment imposed
was either disproportionate or arbitrary.
9 We accordingly allow the appeal and set aside the impugned
judgment and order of the High Court dated 10 October 2008. The writ
petition filed by the respondent challenging the disciplinary proceedings
shall accordingly stand dismissed. No costs.
.......................................................J.
[Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud]
.......................................................J.
[Hrishikesh Roy]
New Delhi;
December 18, 2019
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