1
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2608 OF 2012
UNION OF INDIA ORS. … APPELLANTS
VERSUS
RAM LAKHAN SHARMA … RESPONDENT
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL NO.6745 OF 2013,
CIVIL APPEAL NO.9373-9374 OF 2013 AND
CIVIL APPEAL NO.1800 OF 2014.
J U D G M E N T
ASHOK BHUSHAN, J.
These appeals have been filed by the Union of
India questioning the judgments of the Gauhati High
Court by which writ petitions filed by the
respondents challenging their orders of removal were
allowed by setting aside the removal/dismissal orders
and the respondents were directed to be reinstated.
Signature Not Verified
The High Court had allowed the writ petitions filed
Digitally signed by
ASHWANI KUMAR
Date: 2018.07.02
16:07:44 IST
Reason:
by the respondents on more or less similar grounds,
2
hence, it shall be sufficient to notice the facts and
pleadings in detail in Civil Appeal No.2608 of 2012
for deciding this batch of appeals.
Civil Appeal No. 2608 of 2012
2. The respondent- Ram Lakhan Sharma was appointed
as constable in the Central Reserve Police Force
(hereinafter referred to as “CRPF”) on 10.04.1991. On
23.10.1999 while he was posted as constable 11 Bn.,
CRPF at Agartala, Tripura he went out from Guard duty
at 09.00 a.m. and returned back at 09.50 a.m. In the
afternoon, an allegation was made by one lady Smt.
Gita Paul making allegation of rape against the
respondent and First Information Report was
registered on 23.10.1999 at the Police Station under
Section 376 IPC.
3. On 23.10.1999 the appellant was placed under
suspension. On 04.12.1999 chargesheet was issued to
the respondent containing articles of charges I and
II. First charge was that the appellant remained
absent without proper permission of competent
authority with consent of his Guard Commander from
his duty on 23.10.1999 from 0900 hrs. to 0930 hrs.
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Second charge was that he while functioning as
constable (Guard) has committed an act of misconduct
in his capacity as a member of the force in that he
tried to do sexual intercourse with a woman with
mutual consent by giving money which amounts to
indiscipline/moral turpitude.
4. The disciplinary authority appointed one Shri
S.S. Bisht, Second-in-Command, 11 Bn CRPF as Inquiry
Officer. The Inquiry Officer recorded the prosecution
evidence. The Inquiry Report was submitted which was
also supplied to the delinquent vide letter dated
07.02.2000 asking the respondent to submit reply
within 15 days. The Commandant, 11 Bn passed an order
on 19.03.2000 imposing penalty of removal from
service w.e.f. 19.03.2000 under Section 11(1) of the
Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949 read with Rule
27 of the Central Reserve Police Force Rules, 1955.
5. On the basis of First Information Report
registered against the respondent a chargesheet was
submitted in the Court of Sessions Judge, Tripura,
Agartala. Learned Sessions Judge after completing the
trial on 20.09.2001 acquitted the respondent from
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charges levelled against him. After acquittal from
criminal case the respondent filed a Writ Petition
No.6778 of 2000 in the High Court of Allahabad
challenging his order of removal. The High Court by
order dated 20.05.2004 disposed of the writ petition
giving liberty to the respondent to file an appeal
under CRPF Rules, 1955 within two weeks. In pursuance
of the order of the High Court an appeal was filed
before D.I.G.R., CRPF, Patna. The Appellate Authority
rejected the appeal by its order dated 22.07.2004
against which order a revision was filed before the
Inspector General of Police, CRPF which too was
rejected on 02.03.2005. Challenging the order of
removal as well as orders passed in appeal and
revision the respondent filed Writ Petition (C) No.14
of 2006. Learned Single Judge vide judgment dated
12.04.2010 allowed the writ petition by setting aside
the removal order and directed for reinstatement of
the respondent. The learned Single Judge also
permitted the appellant to initiate the disciplinary
inquiry afresh from the stage of appointing
Presenting Officer. It was further directed that if
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the departmental proceeding is required to be started
afresh, the respondent shall be placed under
suspension and during the period of suspension,
subsistence allowance should be paid. It was left to
the wisdom of the authority to decide on arrear pay
and allowances of the respondent.
6. Union of India filed an appeal against the
judgment of the learned Single Judge being Writ
Appeal No.25 of 2010. The Division Bench of the High
Court by its judgment dated 10.01.2011 dismissed the
writ appeal aggrieved by which order Civil Appeal
No.2608 of 2012 has been filed by the Union of India.
7. The facts and pleadings in other civil appeals
being more or less similar they need to be only
briefly noted.
Civil Appeal No.6745 of 2013
8. Union of India has filed this appeal challenging
the judgment of the Division Bench dated 18.01.2013
by which Writ Appeal No.1 of 2013 filed by the Union
of India questioning the judgment of the learned
Single Judge was dismissed. The respondent, Shri T.
Lupheng while posted at Manipur on 24.03.2008 sought
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permission from his senior during his duty hours for
going to the Bank to withdraw his salary. He was
allowed to go and directed to report back to his
duties. On his return he was found under the
influence of alcohol. On 07.04.2008 the personnel was
suspended. On four articles of charges inquiry was
held. The Inquiry Officer recorded the evidence of
prosecution. The inquiry was completed and report was
submitted on 19.06.2008. The disciplinary authority
vide its order dated 05.07.2008 awarded the
punishment of dismissal from service. An appeal was
filed which was dismissed by DIG, CRPF on 07.11.2008.
The revision was also dismissed by IGP-C/S, CRPF on
05.06.2009. Writ Petition No.556 of 2009 was filed
in the Gauhati High Court which was allowed by the
learned Single Judge by judgment dated 04.08.2012. A
writ appeal was filed by the Union of India which was
dismissed by the Division Bench on 18.01.2013 against
which this appeal has been filed.
Civil Appeal Nos.9373-74 of 2013
9. These appeals have been filed by the Union of
India against the Division Bench judgment dated
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24.08.2012 by which the appeal filed by the Union of
India questioning the judgment dated 08.02.2012 has
been dismissed. The respondent was serving as
constable in F/27 Bn CRPF. It was alleged that on
13.04.2000 he left lines without seeking prior
permission, consumed liquor and created nuisance in
the market. The chargesheet was issued to the
respondent containing two articles of charges. The
Inquiry Officer was appointed. Inquiry Officer
recorded the statement of 12 prosecution witnesses.
By an order dated 30.08.2000 the respondent was
dismissed from services. There were two other
delinquents apart from the respondent who were
proceeded with and dismissed by the common order.
Learned Single Judge relying on an order of the High
Court in Writ Petition (C) No.297 of 2002 (Sri Mutum
Shanti Kumar Singh vs. Union of India) on 08.02.2012
set aside the order of the dismissal and directed
reinstatement of the respondent. Union of India filed
Writ Appeal No.32 of 2012 challenging the order of
Learned Single Judge before the Gauhati High Court.
The Division Bench of the High Court by order dated
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24.08.2012 dismissed the writ appeal. Review petition
was filed by the Union of India which too was
dismissed on 18.01.2013. Consequently, these appeals
have been filed by the Union of India.
Civil Appeal No.1800 of 2014
10. This appeal has been filed by the Union of India
against the Division Bench judgment of the High Court
dated 29.05.2013 by which writ petition filed by the
respondent challenging the disciplinary proceedings
for dismissal of the respondent was allowed. The
respondent while serving at Chothegaon, Bishnupur
(Manipur) on 12.03.2007 deserted from line without
permission of competent authority. Subsequently, an
FIR was lodged on 12.03.2007. A warrant was issued to
apprehend him on 29.07.2007 but he could not be
apprehended. A Court of Inquiry was conducted and
the respondent was declared “DESERTER” w.e.f.
12.03.2007 vide order dated 13.07.2007. A
Departmental proceeding was initiated with articles
of charges on 12.11.2007. Since, the respondent had
not reported in the Unit, the inquiry proceeded ex
parte. Charges levelled against the respondent were
9
found proved. An order dated 20.05.2008 was passed
awarding dismissal from service to the respondent.
Thereafter, he submitted appeal before DIG, CRPF. A
writ petition was filed by the respondent. The writ
petition was disposed of on 29.05.2013 setting aside
the dismissal order and directing for reinstatement.
The appeal has been filed against the above said
judgment.
11. The Gauhati High Court had allowed the writ
petition filed by the respondents on the ground that
in the disciplinary inquiry the principles of natural
justice were violated. The High Court found that no
Presenting Officer was appointed and the Inquiry
Officer acted as prosecutor which violates the
principles of natural justice and the entire inquiry
was set aside on the aforesaid ground with liberty to
the respondent to hold afresh inquiry from the stage
of appointing of the Presenting Officer.
12. All the appeals filed by the Union of India
raises almost similar question of law and facts and
the learned counsel for the Union of India has also
raised common submission in all the appeals.
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13. Learned counsel for the appellant, Shri Vikramjit
Banerjee, Addl. Solicitor General contends that the
High Court committed error in setting aside the
dismissal order on the ground of non-appointment of
Presenting Officer. It is submitted that Rule 27 of
CRPF Rules, 1955 which provides for holding of
disciplinary inquiry does not provide for appointment
of Presenting Officer. The appellants have followed
the requirement of Rule 27 in holding disciplinary
inquiry in consonance with principles of natural
justice, hence, there was no occasion to set aside
the dismissal order. It is submitted that the
respondents were given full opportunity in the
disciplinary inquiry including serving chargesheet,
giving opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses,
opportunity to lead evidence and submit a reply to
the Inquiry Report.
14. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that
Rule 27 does not mandate the appointment of
Presenting Officer to hold disciplinary inquiry. It
is further submitted that even if it is assumed that
while non-appointment of Presenting Officer,
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principles of natural justice have been violated,
respondents have to show what prejudice has been
caused due to non-appointment of the Presenting
Officer in the department enquiry. No prejudice
having been caused to any of the respondents, they
were not entitled for grant of relief as has been
granted by the High Court.
15. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents
refuting the above submissions contends that the High
Court has rightly set aside the dismissal/removal
orders of the respondents. In the facts and
circumstances of the present case, appointment of
Presenting Officer was necessary to ensure compliance
of principles of natural justice which having not
been done the respondents have been seriously
prejudiced. It is submitted that Inquiry Officer
himself acted as prosecutor by putting questions to
the prosecution witnesses. Inquiry Officer having
become prosecutor with entire approach towards
inquiry was tainted with bias and has rightly been
interfered by the High Court. It is submitted that
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Inquiry Officer having acted as a prosecutor no
further prejudice needs to be proved.
16. We have considered the submissions of the learned
counsel for the parties and perused the records.
17. Before we proceed to consider the rival
submissions of the learned counsel for the parties,
it is relevant to look into the reasons given by the
High Court for allowing the writ petitions filed by
the respondents.
18. In Civil Appeal No.2608 of 2012(leading appeal)
judgment of learned Single Judge allowing the writ
petition is dated 12.04.2010 which is filed at
Annexure P-7 to the appeal. After elaborately
considering the facts of the case, the nature of
charges and affidavit filed in the writ petition,
learned Judge proceeded to decide the writ petition.
Learned Single Judge had directed to make available
the proceedings of the disciplinary inquiry and on
perusal of the proceedings of the disciplinary
inquiry Learned Single Judge came to the conclusion
that no Presenting Officer was appointed in the said
proceedings and the Enquiry Officer himself led the
13
examination in chief of the prosecution witness by
putting questions. The High Court further came to the
conclusion that Enquiry Officer acted himself as
prosecutor and Judge in the said disciplinary
enquiry. It is useful to extract paragraphs 9 and 10
of the judgment which are to the following effect:
“(9) This Court directed the learned
Asstt. S.G. appearing for the respondents
to make available the proceedings of the
disciplinary enquiry against the
petitioner. On perusal of the proceeding,
it is crystal clear that no Presenting
Officer was appointed in the said
proceedings and the Enquiry Officer himself
led the examination in chief of the
prosecution witness by putting questions.
This fact is not disputed by the learned
Asstt. S.G. appearing for the respondents,
but his only submission is that all
opportunities were given to the writ
petitioner to put up his defence case and
also the writ petitioner had pleaded guilty
for both the charges levelled against him.
(10) It is, therefore, crystal clear
that the Enquiry Officer acted himself as
Prosecutor and Judge in the said
disciplinary enquiry against the writ
petitioner. From this admitted fact, it may
not be wrong to infer that there were no
fair procedures in the disciplinary
proceedings as a result of which principle
of natural justice was undisputedly denied
to the writ petitioner.”
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19. The Division Bench of the High Court in writ
appeal against the aforesaid judgment also affirmed
the aforesaid view of the learned Single Judge while
dismissing the writ appeal.
20. As noted above there are two principal
submissions raised by the learned counsel for the
appellant, they are: (i) The disciplinary inquiry is
required to be conducted under Rule 27 of 1955 Rules
which does not contemplate appointment of a Presenting
Officer. Hence, the inquiry proceedings are not
vitiated by the non-appointment of Presenting Officer.
(ii) The disciplinary inquiry has been held against
the respondents by complying with the principles of
natural justice. No principle of natural justice is
violated by non-appointment of Presenting Officer. No
prejudice has been caused to the respondents by
non-appointment of Presenting Officer.
21. Rule 27 sub-rule (c) of the CRPF Rules, 1955
provides for the procedure for conducting a
departmental enquiry which is as follows:
“Rule 27(c) The procedure for conducting
a departmental enquiry shall be as
follows:-
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(1) The substance of the accusation
shall be reduced to the form of a written
charge which should be as precise as
possible. The charge shall be read out to
the accused and a copy of it given to him
at least 48 hrs. before the commencement of
the enquiry.
(2) At the commencement of the enquiry
the accused shall be asked to enter a plea
of Guilty or Not Guilty after which
evidence necessary to establish the charge
shall be let in. The evidence shall be
material to the charge and may either be
oral or documentary, if oral:
(i) it shall be direct:
(ii) it shall be recorded by the
Officer conducting, the enquiry himself
in the presence of the accused:
(iii) the accused shall be allowed
to cross examine the witnesses.
(3) When documents are relied upon
in support of the charge, they shall be
put in evidence as exhibits and the
accused shall, before he is called upon
to make his defence be allowed to
inspect such exhibits.
(4) The accused shall then be
examined and his statement recorded by
the officer conducting the enquiry. If
the accused has pleaded guilty and does
not challenge the evidence on record,
the proceedings shall be closed for
orders. If he pleads “Not guilty”, he
shall be required to file a written
statement and a list of such witnesses
as he may wish to cite in his defence
within such period, which shall in any
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case be not less than a fortnight, as
the officer conducting enquiry may deem
reasonable in the circumstances of the
case. If he declines to file a written
statement, he shall again be examined by
the officer conducting the enquiry on
the expiry of the period allowed.
(5) If the accused refuses to cite
any witnesses or to produce any evidence
in his defence, the proceedings shall be
closed for orders. If he produces any
evidence the officer conducting the
enquiry shall proceed to record the
evidence. If the officer conducting the
enquiry considers that the evidence of
any witness or any document which the
accused wants to produce in his defence
is not material to the issues involved
in the case he may refuse to call such
witness or to allow such document to be
produced in evidence, but in all such
cases he must briefly record his reasons
for considering the evidence
inadmissible. When all relevant evidence
has been brought on record, the
proceedings shall be closed for orders.
(6) If the Commandant has himself
held the enquiry, he shall record his
findings and pass orders where he has
power to do so. If the enquiry has been
held by any officer other than the
Commandant, the officer conducting the
enquiry shall forward his report
together with the proceedings to the
Commandant who shall record his findings
and pass order where he has power to do
so.”
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22. A perusal of the aforesaid Rule does not indicate
that Rule contemplates appointment of Presenting
Officer. Service conditions including punishment and
appeal procedure of an employee are governed by
statutory rules. The CRPF Act, 1949 has been enacted
by the Parliament for the constitution and regulation
of an armed Central Reserve Police Force. Section 18
of the Act empowers the Central Government to make
rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
23. The disciplinary proceedings are quasi-judicial
proceedings and Inquiry Officer is in the position of
an independent adjudicator and is obliged to act
fairly, impartially. The authority exercises
quasi-judicial power has to act in good faith without
bias, in a fair and impartial manner.
24. Rules of natural justice have been recognised and
developed as principles of administrative law. Natural
justice has many facets. Its all facets are steps to
ensure justice and fair play. This Court in Suresh
Koshy George vs. University of Kerala and others, AIR
1969 SC 198 had occasion to consider the principles of
natural justice in the context of a case where
18
disciplinary action was taken against a student who
was alleged to have adopted malpractice in the
examination. In paragraph 7 this Court held that the
question whether the requirements of natural justice
have been met by the procedure adopted in a given case
must depend to a great extent on the facts and
circumstances of the case in point, the constitution
of Tribunal and the rules under which it functions.
Following was held in paragraphs 7 and 8:
“7….The rules of natural justice are
not embodied rules. The question whether
the requirements of natural justice have
been met by the procedure adopted in a
given case must depend to a great extent on
the facts and circumstances of the case in
point, the constitution of the Tribunal and
the rules under which it functions.
8. In Russel v. Duke of Norfolk,
Tucker, L. J. observed:
“There are, in my view, no words which
are of universal application to every kind
of inquiry and every kind of domestic
tribunal. The requirements of natural
justice must depend on the circumstances of
the case, the nature of the inquiry, the
rules under which the tribunal is acting,
the subject matter that is being dealt
with, and so forth. Accordingly, I do not
derive much assistance from the definitions
of natural justice which have been from
time to time used, but, whatever standard
is adopted, one essential is that the
19person concerned should have a reasonable
opportunity of presenting his case.”
25. A Constitution Bench of this Court has
elaborately considered and explained the principles of
natural justice in A.K. Kraipak and others vs. Union
of India and others, AIR 1970 SC 150. This Court held
that the aim of the rules of natural justice is to
secure justice or to put it negatively to prevent
miscarriage of justice. The concept of natural justice
has undergone a great deal of change in recent years.
Initially recognised as consisting of two principles
that is no one shall be a judge in his own cause and
no decision shall be given against a party without
affording him a reasonable hearing, various other
facets have been recognised. In paragraph 20 following
has been held:
“20. The aim of the rules of natural
justice is to secure justice or to put it
negatively to prevent miscarriage of
justice. These rules can operate only in
areas not covered by any law validly made.
In other words they do not supplant the law
of the land but supplement it. The concept
of natural justice has undergone a great
deal of change in recent years. In the past
it was thought that it included just two
rules namely (1) no one shall be a judge in
his own case (Nemo debet esse judex propria
20causa) and (2) no decision shall be given
against a party without affording him a
reasonable hearing (audi alteram
partem).Very soon thereafter a third rule
was envisaged and that is that
quasi-judicial enquiries must be held in
good faith, without bias and not
arbitrarily or unreasonably….”
26. In State of Uttar Pradesh and others vs. Saroj
Kumar Sinha, 2010 (2) SCC 772, this Court had laid
down that inquiry officer is a quasi-judicial
authority, he has to act as independent adjudicator
and he is not a representative of the
department/disciplinary authority/Government. In
paragraphs 28 and 30 following has been held:
“28. An inquiry officer acting in a
quasi-judicial authority is in the position
of an independent adjudicator. He is not
supposed to be a representative of the
department/disciplinary authority/
Government. His function is to examine the
evidence presented by the Department, even
in the absence of the delinquent official
to see as to whether the unrebutted
evidence is sufficient to hold that the
charges are proved. In the present case the
aforesaid procedure has not been observed.
Since no oral evidence has been examined
the documents have not been proved, and
could not have been taken into
consideration to conclude that the charges
have been proved against the respondents.
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30. When a departmental enquiry is
conducted against the government servant it
cannot be treated as a casual exercise. The
enquiry proceedings also cannot be
conducted with a closed mind. The inquiry
officer has to be wholly unbiased. The
rules of natural justice are required to be
observed to ensure not only that justice is
done but is manifestly seen to be done. The
object of rules of natural justice is to
ensure that a government servant is treated
fairly in proceedings which may culminate
in imposition of punishment including
dismissal/removal from service.”
27. When the statutory rule does not contemplate
appointment of Presenting Officer whether
non-appointment of Presenting Officer ipso facto
vitiates the inquiry? We have noticed the statutory
provision of Rule 27 which does not indicate that
there is any statutory requirement of appointment of
Presenting Officer in the disciplinary inquiry. It is
thus clear that statutory provision does not mandate
appointment of Presenting Officer. When the statutory
provision does not require appointment of Presenting
Officer whether there can be any circumstances where
principles of natural justice can be held to be
violated is the broad question which needs to be
answered in this case. We have noticed above that the
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High Court found breach of principles of natural
justice in Inquiry Officer acting as the prosecutor
against the respondents. The Inquiry Officer who has
to be independent and not representative of the
disciplinary authority if starts acting in any other
capacity and proceed to act in a manner as if he is
interested in eliciting evidence to punish an
employee, the principle of bias comes into place.
28. Justice M. Rama Jois of the Karnataka High Court
had occasion to consider the above aspect in Bharath
Electronics Ltd. vs. K. Kasi, ILR 1987 Karnataka 366.
In the above case the order of domestic inquiry was
challenged before the Labour and Industrial Tribunal.
The grounds taken were, that inquiry is vitiated since
Presenting Officer was not appointed and further
Inquiry Officer played the role of prosecutor. This
Court held that there is no legal compulsion that
Presenting Officer should be appointed but if the
Inquiry Officer plays the role of Presenting Officer,
the inquiry would be invalid. Following was held in
paragraphs 8 and 9:
“8. One other ground on which the domestic
inquiry was held invalid was that
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Presenting Officer was not appointed. This
view of the Tribunal is also patently
untenable. There is no legal compulsion
that Presenting Officer should be
appointed. Therefore, the mere fact that
the Presenting Officer was not appointed is
no ground to set aside the inquiry See :
Gopalakrishna Reddy v. State of Karnataka
(ILR 1980 Kar 575). It is true that in the
absence of Presenting Officer if the
Inquiring Authority plays the role of the
Presenting Officer, the inquiry would be
invalid and this aspect arises out of the
next point raised for the petitioner, which
I shall consider immediately hereafter.
9. The third ground on which the Industrial
Tribunal held that the domestic inquiry was
invalid was that the Inquiry Officer had
played the role of the Presenting Officer.
The relevant part of the findings reads :
“The Learned Counsel for the workman
further contended that the questions put
by the Enquiry Officer to the Management’s
witnesses themselves suggest that he was
biased and prejudiced against the workman.
There has been no explanation as to why no
Presenting Officer was appointed and as to
why the Enquiry Officer took upon himself
the burden of putting questions to the
Management witnesses. The enquiry
proceedings at Ext. A-6 disclose that
after the cross-examination of the
Management’s witnesses by the defence, the
Enquiry Officer has further put certain
questions by way of explanation, but from
their nature an inference arises that they
are directed to fill in the lacuna. The
Learned Counsel for the Management
contended that the Enquiry Officer has
followed the principles of natural justice
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and that the domestic enquiry is quite
valid. I am of the view that the fact that
the Enquiry Officer has himself taken up
the role of the Presenting Officer for the
management goes to the root of the matter
and vitiates the enquiry,”
As far as position in law is concerned, it
is common ground that if the Inquiring
Authority plays the role of a Prosecutor
and cross-examines defence witnesses or
puts leading questions to the prosecution
witnesses clearly exposing a biased state
of mind, the inquiry would be opposed to
principles of natural justice. But the
question for consideration in this case
is : Whether the Inquiry Officer did so ?
It is also settled law that an Inquiring
Authority is entitled to put questions to
the witnesses for clarification wherever it
becomes necessary and so long the
delinquent employee is permitted to
cross-examine the witnesses after the
Inquiring Authority questions the
witnesses, the inquiry proceedings cannot
be impeached as unfair. See : Munchandani
Electric and Radio Industries Ltd. v. Their
Workman.”
29. This Court had occasion to observe in Workmen of
Lambabari Tea Estate vs. Lambabari Tea Estate, 1966
(2) LLJ 315, that if Inquiry Officer did not keep his
function as Inquiry Officer but becomes prosecutor,
the inquiry is vitiated. Following was observed:
“The inquiry which was held by the
management on the first charge was presided
over by the manager himself. It was
conducted in the presence of the assistant
25manager and two others. The enquiry was not
correct in its procedure. The manager
recorded the statements, cross-examined the
labourers who were the offenders and made
and recorded his own statements on facts
and questioned the offending labourers
about the truth of his own statements
recorded by himself. The manager did not
keep his function as the enquiring officer
distinct but became witness, prosecutor and
manager in turns. The record of the enquiry
as a result is staccato and
unsatisfactory.”
30. A Division Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court
speaking through Justice R.V. Raveendran, CJ (as he
then was) had occasion to consider the question of
vitiation of the inquiry when the Inquiry Officer
starts himself acting as prosecutor in Union of India
and ors. vs. Mohd. Naseem Siddiqui, ILR (2004) MP
821. In the above case the Court considered Rule 9(9)
(c) of the Railway Servants (Discipline Appeal)
Rules, 1968. The Division Bench while elaborating
fundamental principles of natural justice enumerated
the seven well recognised facets in paragraph 7 of the
judgment which is to the following effect:
“7. One of the fundamental principles of
natural justice is that no man shall be a
judge in his own cause. This principle
consists of seven well recognised facets:
(i) The adjudicator shall be impartial and
26free from bias, (ii) The adjudicator shall
not be the prosecutor, (iii) The
complainant shall not be an adjudicator,
(iv) A witness cannot be the Adjudicator,
(v) The Adjudicator must not import his
personal knowledge of the facts of the case
while inquiring into charges, (vi) The
Adjudicator shall not decide on the
dictates of his Superiors or others, (vii)
The Adjudicator shall decide the issue with
reference to material on record and not
reference to extraneous material or on
extraneous considerations. If any one of
these fundamental rules is breached, the
inquiry will be vitiated.”
31. The Division Bench further held that where the
Inquiry Officer acts as Presenting Officer, bias can
be presumed. In paragraph 9 is as follows:
“9. A domestic inquiry must be held by an
unbiased person who is unconnected with the
incident so that he can be impartial and
objective in deciding the subject matters
of inquiry. He should have an open mind
till the inquiry is completed and should
neither act with bias nor give an
impression of bias. Where the Inquiry
Officer acts as the Presenting Officer,
bias can be presumed. At all events, it
clearly gives an impression of bias. An
Inquiry Officer is in position of a Judge
or Adjudicator. The Presenting Officer is
in the position of a Prosecutor. If the
Inquiry Officer acts as a Presenting
Officer, then it would amount to Judge
acting as the prosecutor. When the Inquiry
Officer conducts the examination-in- chief
of the prosecution witnesses and leads them
through the facts so as to present the case
of the disciplinary authority against the
27employee or cross- examines the delinquent
employee or his witnesses to establish the
case of the employer/disciplinary authority
evidently, the Inquiry Officer cannot be
said to have an open mind. The very fact
that he presents the case of the employer
and supports the case of the employer is
sufficient to hold that the Inquiry Officer
does not have an open mind.”
32. The Division Bench after elaborately considering
the issue summarised the principles in paragraph 16
which is to the following effect:
“16. We may summarise the principles thus:
(i) The Inquiry Officer, who is in the
position of a Judge shall not act as a
Presenting Officer, who is in the
position of a prosecutor.
(ii) It is not necessary for the
Disciplinary Authority to appoint a
Presenting Officer in each and every
inquiry. Non- appointment of a
Presenting Officer, by itself will not
vitiate the inquiry.
(iii) The Inquiry Officer, with a view
to arrive at the truth or to obtain
clarifications, can put questions to the
prosecution witnesses as also the
defence witnesses. In the absence of a
Presenting Officer, if the Inquiry
Officer puts any questions to the
prosecution witnesses to elicit the
facts, he should thereafter permit the
28delinquent employee to cross-examine
such witnesses on those clarifications.
(iv) If the Inquiry Officer conducts a
regular examination-in-chief by leading
the prosecution witnesses through the
prosecution case, or puts leading
questions to the departmental witnesses
pregnant with answers, or cross-examines
the defence witnesses or puts suggestive
questions to establish the prosecution
case employee, the Inquiry Officer acts
as prosecutor thereby vitiating the
inquiry.
(v) As absence of a Presenting Officer
by itself will not vitiate the inquiry
and it is recognised that the Inquiry
Officer can put questions to any or all
witnesses to elicit the truth, the
question whether an Inquiry Officer
acted as a Presenting Officer, will have
to be decided with reference to the
manner in which the evidence is let in
and recorded in the inquiry.
Whether an Inquiry Officer has merely acted
only as an Inquiry Officer or has also
acted as a Presenting Officer depends on
the facts of each case. To avoid any
allegations of bias and running the risk of
inquiry being declared as illegal and
vitiated, the present trend appears to be
to invariably appoint Presenting Officers,
except in simple cases. Be that as it may.”
33. We fully endorse the principles as enumerated
above, however, the principles have to be carefully
29
applied in facts situation of a particular case. There
is no requirement of appointment of Presenting Officer
in each and every case, whether statutory rules enable
the authorities to make an appointment or are silent.
When the statutory rules are silent with regard to the
applicability of any facet of principles of natural
justice the applicability of principles of natural
justice which are not specifically excluded in the
statutory scheme are not prohibited. When there is no
express exclusion of particular principle of natural
justice, the said principle shall be applicable in a
given case to advance the cause of justice. In this
context reference is made of a case of this Court in
Punjab National Bank and others vs. Kunj Behari
Misra, 1998 (7) SCC 84. In the above case, this Court
had occasion to consider the provisions of Punjab
National Bank Officer Employees’ (Discipline and
Appeal) Regulations, 1977. Regulation 7 provides for
action on the enquiry report. Regulation 7 as
extracted in paragraph 10 of the judgment is as
follows:
30
“7. Action on the enquiry report.—(1) The
disciplinary authority, if it is not itself
the enquiring authority, may, for reasons
to be recorded by it in writing, remit the
case to the enquiring authority for fresh
or further enquiry and report and the
enquiring authority shall thereupon proceed
to hold the further enquiry according to
the provisions of Regulation 6 as far as
may be.
(2) The disciplinary authority shall, if
it disagrees with the findings of the
enquiring authority on any article of
charge, record its reasons for such
disagreement and record its own findings on
such charge, if the evidence on record is
sufficient for the purpose.
(3) If the disciplinary authority, having
regard to its findings on all or any of the
articles of charge, is of the opinion that
any of the penalties specified in
Regulation 4 should be imposed on the
officer employee, it shall, notwithstanding
anything contained in Regulation 8, make an
order imposing such penalty.
(4) If the disciplinary authority having
regard to its findings on all or any of the
articles of charge, is of the opinion that
no penalty is called for, it may pass an
order exonerating the officer employee
concerned.”
34. The question which was debated before this Court
was that since Regulation 7(2) does not contain any
provision for giving an opportunity to the delinquent
officer to represent before disciplinary authority who
31
reverses the findings which were in favour of the
delinquent employee, the rules of natural justice are
not applicable. This Court held that principle of
natural justice has to be read in Regulation 7(2) even
though rule does not specifically require hearing of
delinquent officer. In paragraph 19 following was
held:
“19. The result of the aforesaid
discussion would be that the principles of
natural justice have to be read into
Regulation 7(2). As a result thereof,
whenever the disciplinary authority
disagrees with the enquiry authority on any
article of charge, then before it records
its own findings on such charge, it must
record its tentative reasons for such
disagreement and give to the delinquent
officer an opportunity to represent before
it records its findings. The report of the
enquiry officer containing its findings
will have to be conveyed and the delinquent
officer will have an opportunity to
persuade the disciplinary authority to
accept the favourable conclusion of the
enquiry officer. The principles of natural
justice, as we have already observed,
require the authority which has to take a
final decision and can impose a penalty, to
give an opportunity to the officer charged
of misconduct to file a representation
before the disciplinary authority records
its findings on the charges framed against
the officer.”
32
35. Thus, the question as to whether Inquiry Officer
who is supposed to act independently in an inquiry has
acted as prosecutor or not is a question of fact which
has to be decided on the facts and proceedings of
particular case. In the present case we have noticed
that the High Court had summoned the entire inquiry
proceedings and after perusing the proceedings the
High Court came to the conclusion that Inquiry Officer
himself led the examination in chief of the
prosecution witness by putting questions. The High
Court further held that the Inquiry Officer acted
himself as prosecutor and Judge in the said
disciplinary enquiry. The above conclusion of the High
Court has already been noticed from paragraphs 9 and
10 of the judgment of the High court giving rise to
Civil Appeal No.2608 of 2012.
36. The High Court having come to the conclusion that
Inquiry Officer has acted as prosecutor also, the
capacity of independent adjudicator was lost which
adversely affecting his independent role of
adjudicator. In the circumstances, the principle of
bias shall come into play and the High Court was right
33
in setting aside the dismissal orders by giving
liberty to the appellants to proceed with inquiry
afresh. We make it clear that our observations as
made above are in the facts of the present cases.
37. In result, all the appeals are dismissed subject
to the liberty as granted by the High Court that it
shall be open for the appellants to proceed with the
inquiry afresh from the stage as directed by the High
Court and it shall be open for the appellant to decide
on arrear pay and allowances of the respondents.
…………………J.
( ADARSH KUMAR GOEL )
…………………J.
( ASHOK BHUSHAN )
NEW DELHI,
JULY 02, 2018.