We are not impressed with the submissions made on behalf of the university that the judgment of this Court in Umadevi’s case overruled the judgment in Gujarat Agricultural University (supra). The judgment of this Court in Gujarat Agricultural University (supra) inter partes has become final and is binding on the university. Even according to Para 54 of Umadevi’s case, any judgment which is contrary to the principles settled in Umadevi shall be denuded of status as precedent. This observation at Para 54 in Uma Devi’s case does not absolve the university of its duty to comply with the directions of this Court in Gujarat Agricultural University (Supra).”
34. In Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra & Anr.6, while dealing with an identical issue this Court held that reconsideration of the judgment of this Court which has
attained finality is not normally permissible. The decision upon a question of law rendered by this Court was conclusive and would bind the Court in subsequent cases. The Court cannot sit in appeal against its own judgment.
35. In Union of India & Ors. Vs. Major S.P. Sharma & Ors.7, a three-judge bench of this Court has held as under:-
“A decision rendered by a competent court cannot be challenged
in collateral proceedings for the reason that if it is permitted to do so there would be "confusion and chaos and the finality of
proceedings would cease to have any meaning."
36. Thus, it is very well settled that it is not permissible for the parties to re-open the concluded judgments of the Court as the same may not only tantamount to an abuse of the process of the Court but would have far reaching adverse effect on the administration of justice.
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4840 OF 2021
NEELIMA SRIVASTAVA Vs THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
AUTHOR: KRISHNA MURARI, J.
Dated: 17 TH AUGUST, 2021
Leave granted.
2. This appeal takes exception to the judgment and order dated 07.05.2018 passed by
the Division Bench of Allahabad High Court (hereinafter referred to as ‘the High Court’)
allowing the Special Appeal filed by the State-Respondent and setting aside the judgment
and order dated 15.05.2014 passed in Writ Petition filed by the appellant herein.
3. The appellant is a Post Graduate from Kanpur University and also holds the
certificate of Sangit Prabhakar and Senior Diploma from the Prayag Sangit Samiti,
Allahabad. On 23.07.1984, she was appointed as Assistant Music Teacher in
Government Inter College, Mahmoodabad, District Sitapur on a leave vacancy as the
regular incumbent went on leave without pay. The terms of the appointment order
specified that the appointment was temporary and meant to last till the permanent
incumbent rejoined the service. The educational qualifications of the appellant satisfied
the requirements prescribed under the relevant service rules. Vide letter dated
16.05.1986, the terms of the appointment order dated 23.07.1984 was modified by
providing that the appointment was to last till the regular incumbent joined back or
20.05.1986, whichever was earlier.
4. Aggrieved by the said modification in the terms of appointment, the appellant filed
a Writ Petition No. 3316 (SS) of 1986 before the High Court challenging the modified
terms of the appointment. On 19.05.1986, the management of the College issued another
order dispensing with the services of the appellant w.e.f. 20.05.1986.
5. A learned Single Judge vide order dated 20.05.1986 while issuing notice to the
respondents stayed the operation of the order dated 16.05.1986 modifying the terms of
the appointment order. It was further provided that the interim order shall automatically
lapse on return of the permanent incumbent Smt. Safia Khatoon.
6. It so happened that Smt. Safia Khatoon did not rejoin the service, as a result her
services were terminated vide order dated 16.01.1988. It is undisputed fact that the
respondents never undertook any steps for filling up the post and the appellant was
continued on the said post without any interruption till 2020.
7. On 17.08.2001, the State of Uttar Pradesh Promulgated the UP Secondary
Education Department Regularization of Ad hoc appointments on the Post of Trained
Graduate Teachers Rules, 2001 ( for short known as ‘Regularization Rules, 2001). On
02.11.2001, the appellant made a representation to the authorities seeking regularization
in accordance with the said Rules. When no action was taken on a representation for a
substantial period of time, she approached the High Court again by filing Writ Petition
No. 7890 (SS) of 2003. This Writ Petition came to be clubbed with the earlier Writ
Petition No. 3316 (SS) of 1986 filed by the appellant and were heard together and
disposed of by a learned Single Judge of the High Court by making following
observations :-
“ After hearing learned counsel for the parties and perusing the
record, it is abundantly clear that the petitioner has more than 21
years experience working as Assistant Teacher Music, LT Grade in the
Government Inter Collge, Mahmoodabad, Sitapur. As per documents
placed on record, she is having all requisite educational qualification
as required in the Intermediate Education Act. She might have been
appointed in a leave arrangement but by virtue of his (sic her)
continuous satisfactory services, she has now acquired a right to hold
the post and continue in the institution, and at this stage, it would not
be appropriate to treat her as an appointee in stop-gap arrangement.”
8. The operative portion of the aforesaid judgment reads as under :-
“In view of above, the Writ Petitions are allowed. The consequences
shall follow. The petitioner shall be allowed to continue on the post,
held by her. Her case shall be considered for regularization under the
relevant regularization Rules and appropriate orders shall be passed
within three months from the date of presentation of a certified copy of
the judgment and order.”
9. It is pertinent to point out at this stage that the aforesaid common judgment
rendered in the two Writ Petitions filed by the appellant attained finality as it was not put
to challenge before any higher forum.
10. Vide order dated 29.01.2007, the Joint Director of Education considered the case
of the petitioner (appellant herein) and despite observations contained in the judgment of
the learned Single Judge rejected her claim for regularization. Her claim for
regularization was mainly rejected on the ground that since her initial appointment was
on leave vacancy for which there was no provision under the 2001 Rules, as such she
cannot be held to be entitled to the benefit conferred by Regularization Rules, 2001.
11. This order was again put to challenge by the appellant by filing yet another Writ
Petition No. 8597 of 2010. After hearing learned counsel for the parties, learned Single
Judge vide judgment and order dated 15.05.2014 allowed the same on the following
reasonings :-
i. Petitioner has been working since 23.07.1984 and in the earlier round of litigation,
the High Court had held her entitled to hold the post. The judgment dated
23.01.2006 had become final and was unchallenged.
ii. Regularization Rules, 2001 were applicable to the petitioner. The earlier judgment
had found petitioner to be entitled to hold the post. Respondents’ refusal to apply
the Regularization Rules, 2001 was accordingly unlawful.
iii. A quietus needs to be given to long drawn litigation and the petitioner is entitled
for regularization.
12. The learned Single Judge placed reliance upon the Constitution Bench Judgment of
this Court in the case of Rudra Kumar Sain and Ors. Vs. Union of India and Ors1. and
in particular the following observations made in paragraph 20 of the said Constitution
Bench Judgment :-
“In the service jurisprudence, a person who possesses the requisite
qualification for being appointed to a particular post and then he is
appointed with the approval and consultation of the appropriate
authority and continues in the post for a fairly long period, then such
1 (2000) 8 SCC 25
an appointment cannot be held to be ‘stopgap or fortuitous or purely
ad hoc’.”
13. The learned Single Judge found that the appellant has been teaching since
23.07.1984 and in an earlier judgment, the High Court has already held her appointment
not being a stopgap arrangement and further she has a right to the post which has attained
finality having not been challenged the Regularization Rules, 2001 are applicable to such
cases and refusal to give benefit of the said Rules is not lawful exercise of the power by
Joint Director and since no regular appointment has been made, she is fully eligible and
qualified to be appointed as such.
14. Vide order dated 31.10.2015, in terms of the judgment of the learned Single Judge
dated 15.05.2014, the respondent regularized the services of the appellant and
simultaneously also filed a Special Appeal before a Division Bench.
15. Vide order dated 07.05.2018, impugned in this appeal the Division Bench allowed
the Special Appeal preferred by the respondents herein and set aside the judgment of the
learned Single Judge. The Division Bench was of the view that since the appellant herein
was appointed in leave vacancy on 23.07.1984 and her services came to an end on
20.05.1986 and she continued on the post on the basis of the interim order passed by the
High Court in earlier round of litigation and her appointment is litigious appointment and
thus she has no enforceable right to hold this post legally in her favour.
16. Heard Shri Nikhil Goel, learned counsel for the appellant and Shri
Harish Pandey, learned counsel for the State-Respondent. We have also gone through
the impugned judgment as also the record of the case with the assistance of the learned
counsel for the parties.
17. The Special Appeal filed by the State was allowed by the Division Bench of the
High Court mainly on the reasoning that the petitioner (appellant herein) was employed
on a temporary basis against the leave vacancy and since the Service Rules, 1983 did not
permit any appointment on leave vacancy, the appointment of the petitioner (appellant
herein) was illegal appointment of ‘stop-gap nature’. Analyzing the Regularization
Rules, 2001 the Division Bench found that there was no provision for regularization of an
appointment made against the leave vacancy.
18. Relying upon the observations made by this Court in the case of Secretary, State
of Karnataka & Ors. Vs. Umadevi & Ors.2 wherein it was held that since the initial
appointment of the petitioner (appellant herein) was dehors the Rules and thus was illegal
2 (2006) 4 SCC 1
and her appointment was litigious appointment and she continued on the strength of an
interim order passed by the High Court on 20.05.1986, she was not entitled for
regularization.
19. The Constitution Bench of this Court in the case of Umadevi (3) has held that a
temporary, contractual, casual or a daily-wage employee does not have a legal right to be
made permanent unless the appointment has been made in accordance with the terms of
the relevant service rules governing the said appointment and in adherence of Articles 14
and 16 of the Constitution. This Court however made one exception to the above by
observing in paragraph 53 of the reports as under :-
“ 53. One aspect needs to be clarified. There may be cases where
irregular appointments (not illegal appointments) as explained in S.V.
Narayanappa [(1967) 1 SCR 128 : AIR 1967 SC 1071], R.N.
Nanjundappa [(1972) 1 SCC 409 : (1972) 2 SCR 799] and B.N.
Nagarajan [(1979) 4 SCC 507 : 1980 SCC (L&S) 4 : (1979) 3 SCR
937] and referred to in paragraph 15 above, of duly qualified persons in
duly sanctioned vacant posts might have been made and the employees
have continued to work for ten years or more but without the
intervention of orders of courts or of tribunals. The question of
regularization of the services of such employees may have to be
considered on merits in the light of the principles settled by this Court
in the cases above referred to and in the light of this judgment. In that
context, the Union of India, the State Governments and their
instrumentalities should take steps to regularize as a one time measure,
the services of such irregularly appointed, who have worked for ten
years or more in duly sanctioned posts but not under cover of orders of
courts or of tribunals and should further ensure that regular
recruitments are undertaken to fill those vacant sanctioned posts that
require to be filled up, in cases where temporary employees or daily
wagers are being now employed. The process must be set in motion
within six months from this date. We also clarify that regularization, if
any already made, but not subjudice, need not be reopened based on
this judgment, but there should be no further by-passing of the
constitutional requirement and regularizing or making permanent,
those not duly appointed as per the constitutional scheme.”
20. The above quoted paragraph 53 from the pronouncement in the case of
Umadevi(3) has carved out an exception to the general principles against ‘regularization’
in case, the following conditions are fulfilled :
i. The incumbent should have worked for 10 years or more on a duly
sanctioned post without the benefit or protection of the interim order of
any Court or Tribunal.
ii. The appointment of such employee should not be illegal, even if
irregular.
21. Applying the above tests laid down in the judgment of Umadevi (3), carving an
exception to the general principles against ‘regularization’, the Division Bench of the
High Court has held that since the appointment of the appellant was dehors the rules and
without undergoing the process of open competitive selection, as such the same is illegal
and since she continued in service under the cover of the order passed by the learned
Single Judge of the High Court, her appointment is litigious and thus is not covered by
exception carved out in the case of Umadevi (3).
22. Referring to the observations made in the case of Umadevi (3) paragraph 53 quoted
herein above, this Court in the case of State of Karnataka & Ors. Vs. M.L. Kesari &
Ors.3 has laid down the conditions to test when the appointment will be considered illegal
and when it shall be considered to be irregular. It may be relevant to extract paragraph 7
from the said report, which reads as under:-
“It is evident from the above that there is an exception to the
general principles against `regularization' enunciated in
Umadevi, if the following conditions are fulfilled :
(i) The employee concerned should have worked for 10 years or
more in duly sanctioned post without the benefit or protection of
the interim order of any court or tribunal. In other words, the State
Government or its instrumentality should have employed the
employee and continued him in service voluntarily and
continuously for more than ten years.
(ii) The appointment of such employee should not be illegal, even
if irregular. Where the appointments are not made or continued
against sanctioned posts or where the persons appointed do not
possess the prescribed minimum qualifications, the appointments
will be considered to be illegal. But where the person employed
possessed the prescribed qualifications and was working against
sanctioned posts, but had been selected without undergoing the
process of open competitive selection, such appointments are
considered to be irregular.”
3 (2010) 9 SCC 247
23. In the case of the appellant, it is undisputed that she was appointed by the
Regional Inspectress of Girls Schools, who is the prescribed appointing authority under
the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Educational (Trained Graduates Grade) Service Rules,
1983. Equally undisputed is the fact that she was appointed on a sanctioned post and
possessed all the necessary prescribed qualifications under 1983, Rules.
24. Applying the tests laid down in State of Karnataka & Ors. Vs. M.L. Kesari &
Ors. (Supra) the appointment of the appellant can only be construed as irregular and not
illegal. The finding recorded by the Division Bench of the High Court in respect of
nature of the appointment of the appellant being illegal is thus not liable to be sustained.
Her rejection of the claim for regularization on the ground of her appointment being
illegal by the impugned order is patently erroneous. The other condition of having
worked for 10 years or more also stands fully satisfied as the appellant at the time of
consideration of her regularization had completed almost 23 years of service.
25. The only question which now requires consideration is whether her continuation
on the post on the strength of the interim order passed by the High Court would disentitle
her from regularization in view of the dictum in the case of Umadevi(3).
26. Writ Petition No. 3316 (SS) of 1986 filed by the appellant before the High Court
challenging the modification in the terms of her appointment was stayed vide order
dated 20.05.1986 during the pendency of this Writ Petition before the High Court. She
again approached the High Court by filing Writ Petition No. 7890 of 2003 challenging
the order passed by the Joint Director of Education rejecting her claim of regularization.
The two pending Writ Petitions were clubbed by the High Court and disposed of vide
common judgment and order dated 23.01.2006 with the finding that the appellant is
having all the requisite qualification and has worked for 21 years and she might have
been appointed in a leave arrangement but by virtue of her satisfactory services, she has
now acquired a Right to hold the post and continued in the institution and at this stage, it
would not be appropriate to treat her as an appointee in a stop-gap arrangement and
accordingly directed the State-respondent to consider for regularization under the
relevant Regularization Rules.
27. This Judgment attained finality inter-se between the parties as admittedly the
State-respondent did not put the same to challenge before any higher forum. The
aforesaid judgment which attained finality crystallized the right of the appellant for
regularization. When the same was refused by the Joint Director of Education, it was
again challenged by filing Writ Petition No. 8597 of 2010. A learned Single Judge vide
order dated 15.05.2014 allowed the Writ Petition with the finding that in the earlier
round of litigation, the High Court had held that she was entitled to hold the post and
since the said judgment become final and unchallenged, the Regularization Rules, 2001
were applicable and refusal to apply the said Rules was unlawful.
28. Admittedly, when the judgment dated 23.01.2006 was passed by the High Court
in the earlier two Writ Petitions filed by the appellant, the dictum of Umadevi (3) was
not even in existence as the said judgment was rendered subsequently on 10.04.2006.
29. The Division Bench of the High Court has erroneously understood the dictum of
this Court in Umadevi (3). The Constitution Bench has nowhere directed that service
matters that stand concluded inter partes, ought to be re-opened. On the contrary, in
paragraph 54 of the said decision, the Constitution Bench clarified as under:-
“It is also clarified that those decisions which run counter to the
principle settled in this decision, or in which directions running
counter to what we have held herein, will stand denuded of their
status as precedents.”
30. It becomes absolutely clear from the above clarification that earlier decisions
running counter to the principles settled in the decision of Umadevi (3) will not be
treated as precedents. It cannot mean that the judgment of a competent Court delivered
prior to the decision in Umadevi (3) and which has attained finality and is binding inter
se between the parties need not be implemented. Mere over-ruling of the principles, on
which the earlier judgment was passed, by a subsequent judgment of higher forum will
not have the effect of uprooting the final adjudication between the parties and set it at
naught. There is a distinction between over-ruling a principle and reversal of the
judgment. The judgment in question itself has to be assailed and got rid of in a manner
known to or recognized by law. Mere over-ruling of the principles by a subsequent
judgment will not dilute the binding effect of the decision on inter-parties.
31. In an identical situation, this Court in Civil Appeal No. 4443 of 2021 with Civil
Appeal Nos. 4444 & 4445 of 2021 decided on 26.07.2021 (Vice Chancellor Anand
Agriculture University Vs. Kanubhai Nanubhai Vaghela and Anr.) has rejected the
argument advanced by the appellant in the said case that the judgment of this Court dated
18.01.2001 in Gujarat Agricultural University Vs. Rathod Labhu Bechar & Ors.4 does
not survive after the judgment of this Court in Umadevi(3). It was held in paragraph 11
as under:-
“11. We have heard Mr. P.S. Patwalia, learned senior counsel for
the university and Mr. Nachiketa Joshi, learned counsel for the
respondents. The main contention of the university is that after the
judgment of this Court in Secretary, State of Karnataka and Ors. vs.
Umadevi and Ors. 2 , the respondents are not entitled for
regularization as there are no sanctioned posts available. Another
submission made on behalf of the appellant is that the judgment of
this Court dated 18.01.2001 in Gujarat Agricultural University
(supra) does not survive after the judgment of this Court in
Umadevi. It is no doubt true that in Umadevi’s case, it has been
held that regularization as a one-time measure can only be in
4 (2001) 3 SCC 574
respect of those who were irregularly appointed and have worked
for 10 years or more in duly sanctioned posts. However, in the
instant case the respondents are covered by the judgment of this
Court in Gujarat Agricultural University (supra). This Court
approved the proposed scheme of the State of Gujarat and directed
regularization of all those daily wagers who were eligible in
accordance with the scheme phase-wise. The right to be regularized
in accordance with the scheme continues till all the eligible dailywagers
are absorbed. Creation of additional posts for absorption
was staggered by this Court permitting the appellant and the State
of Gujarat to implement the scheme phase-wise. We are not
impressed with the submissions made on behalf of the university
that the judgment of this Court in Umadevi’s case overruled the
judgment in Gujarat Agricultural University (supra). The judgment
of this Court in Gujarat Agricultural University (supra) inter partes
has become final and is binding on the university. Even according to Para 54 of Umadevi’s case, any judgment which is contrary to the principles settled in Umadevi shall be denuded of status as precedent. This observation at Para 54 in Uma Devi’s case does not absolve the university of its duty to comply with the directions of this Court in Gujarat Agricultural University (Supra).”
32. The Division Bench of the High Court proceeded as if it was hearing an appeal against the judgment dated 23.01.2006 of the learned Single Judge which had already attained finality. Appeal filed under the Rules of the Court was filed against the judgment dated 15.05.2014 rendered in Writ Petition No. 8597 of 2010. It is a well settled principle of law that a Letters Patent Appeal which is in continuation of a Writ Petition cannot be filed collaterally to set aside the judgment of the same High Court rendered in an earlier round of litigation ignoring the principles of res-judicata and doctrine of finality.
33. By a majority decision in Naresh Shridhar Mirajkar & Ors. Vs. State of
Maharashtra & Anr.5 has laid down the law in this regard as under:-
“When a Judge deals with matters brought before him for his
adjudication, he first decides questions, of fact on which the
parties are at issue, and then applies the relevant law to the said
facts. Whether the findings of fact recorded by the Judge are right
or wrong, and whether the conclusion of law drawn by him suffers
from any infirmity, can be considered and decided if the party
aggrieved by the decision of the Judge takes the matter up before
the appellate Court.”
34. In Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra & Anr.6, while dealing with an identical
issue this Court held that reconsideration of the judgment of this Court which has
attained finality is not normally permissible. The decision upon a question of law
rendered by this Court was conclusive and would bind the Court in subsequent cases.
The Court cannot sit in appeal against its own judgment.
35. In Union of India & Ors. Vs. Major S.P. Sharma & Ors.7, a three-judge bench
of this Court has held as under:-
“A decision rendered by a competent court cannot be challenged
in collateral proceedings for the reason that if it is permitted to do
so there would be "confusion and chaos and the finality of
proceedings would cease to have any meaning."
5 1967 AIR SC 1
6 (1999) 2 SCC 103
7 (2014) 6 SCC 351
36. Thus, it is very well settled that it is not permissible for the parties to re-open the concluded judgments of the Court as the same may not only tantamount to an abuse of the process of the Court but would have far reaching adverse effect on the administration of justice.
37. It is undisputed that in compliance of the judgment of the learned Single Judge
dated 15.05.2014 vide order dated 31.10.2015 respondents regularized the services of
appellant subject to the outcome of the proceedings in the LPA and the appellant now
stand superannuated having attained the age of superannuation after about 33 years of
continuous service.
38. In the end, a feeble attempt was made by the learned counsel for the Staterespondent
to persuade us not to interfere in the matter on the ground that the services of
the appellant were terminated vide letter dated 19.05.1986 which was never challenged
as such her services stood terminated. We are not ready to accept the proposition
canvased by learned counsel for the respondent at this stage for the simple reason that it
was open for the State to have advanced this contention before the learned Single Judge
in the two Writ Petitions decided vide judgment and order dated 23.01.2006. Once this
argument was never made before the learned Single Judge in the proceedings which has
attained finality, the respondent cannot be permitted to raise this argument in this appeal.
39. Analyzing the entire facts of the case and upon consideration of the matter and
settled legal position, we are of the considered view that the impugned judgment passed
by the Division Bench of High Court is not liable to be sustained and is hereby set aside.
The appeal, accordingly, stands allowed. The appellant is held entitled to be regularized
with all consequential benefits which may be extended to her within a period of three
months from today.
40. In the facts and circumstances, we, however, do not make any order as to costs.
…...........….....................J.
(S. ABDUL NAZEER)
.……..............................J.
(KRISHNA MURARI)
NEW DELHI;
17 TH AUGUST, 2021
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