Union Territory, Chandigarh Administration and Others v. Sushil Kumar Gupta and Otheres

oo INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoATo CHANDIGARHo o o 112o o o o o o o CWP-24235-2025o(O&M)o o o o o o o o Dateoofodecision:o21.08.2025o o o UnionoTerritory,oChandigarhoandootherso o o ...Petitionerso o o o Versuso o SushiloKumaroGuptaoandoothersoo o ...Respondentso o 114o o o o o o o CWP-24251-2025o(O&M)o o o UnionoTerritory,oChandigarhoandootherso o o ...Petitionerso o o o Versuso o SushiloKumaroGuptaoandoothersoo o ...Respondentso o o o o o CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoHARSIMRANoSINGHoSETHIo o o HON'BLEoMR.JUSTICEoVIKASoSURIo o o Present:o Ms.oSukhmanioPatwalia,oAdvocateoforotheopetitioners.o oo o o o o o o o *****o o VIKASoSURI,oJ.o

1.o o Theoaboveocaptionedowritopetitions,obetweenotheosameoparties,o titledoasoUnionoTerritory,oChandigarhoandoothersovs.oSushiloKumaroGuptao ando others,o haveo beeno takeno upo togethero foro hearingo ando areo beingo disposedoofobyoaocommonojudgmentoasotheosameoissueoisoinvolvedoinobotho theocases.oo

2.o o Theo presento petitionso areo directedo againsto theoorderso datedo

13.12.2024opassedoinotwooOriginaloApplicationsobyotheolearnedoCentralo Administrativeo Tribunal,o Chandigarho Bench,o wherebyo theo claimo ofo respondentoNo.1oforotreatingohisosuspensionoperiodoaso"onoduty"oalongo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -2-o o o witho allo consequentialo benefitso aso pero rules,o haso beeno accepted.oo CWP-24235-2025opertainsotootheosuspensionoperiodofromo07.10.2005otillo

06.03.2006oandoCWP-24251-2025opertainsotootheosuspensionoperiodofromo

30.10.2007otillo30.08.2010.oo

3.o o Briefly,orespondentoNo.1owhileoworkingoasoInspector,oFoodo andoSuppliesoDepartment,owasoimplicatedoinocriminalocaseobearingoFIRo No.325o datedo 05.10.2005o undero Sectiono 420o IPC,o registeredo ato Policeo StationoManimajra.oTheosaidoFIRowasoregisteredoonotheocomplaintoofoSh.o S.K.oSetia,oLandoAcquisitionoOfficer,oUToChandigarh.oRespondentoNo.1o wasoplacedounderosuspensionovideoorderodatedo07.10.2005.oTheosuspensiono waso revokedo video ordero datedo 01.03.2006.o Ino theo saido criminalo proceedings,o noo challano waso presentedo againsto respondento No.1,o rathero cancellationoreportsowereosubmittedotwice,oono02.05.2006oando28.04.2008.o However,oonotheocomplainant'sostatementothatoheowasonotosatisfiedowitho theoinvestigation,oproceedingsowereodeferredoforofurtheroinvestigation.oNoo protestopetitionohadobeenofiledoinotheosaidocriminalocase.oThereafter,otheo complainantomovedoanoapplicationothereinostatingothatotheooriginalorecordo couldonotobeotracedoandoexpressedohisoinabilityotoopursueotheomatteroinotheo absenceooforecord.oAccordingly,otheocancellationoreportowasoacceptedobyo theo Courto concernedo ando respondento No.1o waso discharged,o video ordero datedo02.06.2014.oo

3.1o o Ono30.10.2007,oRespondentoNo.1owasoissuedoaocharge-sheeto allegingopilferageoofo48obagsooforiceofromoFCI,oduringoAugusto2007,oundero PublicoDistributionoSystem,oforodistributionotooBelowoPovertyoLineoando Antyodayao Annao Yojnao rationo cardo holders.o Videoseparateo orderodatedo

30.10.2007,orespondentoNo.1owasoplacedounderosuspension.oo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -3-o o o

3.2o o Onosimilarosetoofoallegationsoofodishonestlyomisappropriatingo foodograinobags,owhenorespondentoNo.1owasostillounderosuspension,oheowaso implicatedoinocaseoFIRoNo.01odatedo01.01.2009,ounderoSectionso409,o420,o 467,o468oreadowithoSectiono13o(1)(c)(d)oofotheoPreventionoofoCorruptiono ActoandoSectiono7oofotheoEssentialoCommoditiesoAct,oregisteredoatoPoliceo StationoVigilance,oUToChandigarh.oPendingoinvestigationoinotheoaforesaido FIR,otheosuspensionooforespondentoNo.1owasorevokedovideoorderodatedo

30.08.2010owithoutoprejudiceotoocaseoFIRoNo.01odatedo01.01.2009.o

3.3o o Ino theo meantime,o respondento No.1o retiredo fromo serviceo ono attainingotheoageoofosuperannuationoono30.06.2012,oi.e.,oduringopendencyo ofotheocriminalotrialoinobothotheoFIRs.oo

3.4o o Afteroaofullotrial,oRespondentoNo.1owasoacquittedoinocaseoFIRo No.01odatedo01.01.2009,ovideoorderodatedo01.05.2014.oTheocriminaloCourto concernedo cameo too theo conclusiono thato theo prosecutiono hado failedo too connectotheoaccused/respondentoNo.1owithotheocommissionoofoanyoofotheo offencesoalleged.oAocategoricofindingohadobeenorecordedothatothereowasonoo evidenceo ono recordo too suggesto thato accused/respondento No.1o hado manipulatedo theo recordo whileo preparingo labouro chargeso billso ofo labouro contractoroorohadomisappropriatedoanyofunds.oItowas,othus,oheldothatotheo prosecutionohadonotobeenoableotoobringohomeoguiltoofotheoaccused,oatoleasto beyondoreasonableodoubtoandoresultantly,orespondentoNo.1owasoacquittedo ofotheochargesoframedoagainstohimovideojudgmentodatedo01.05.2014.oo

3.5o o Inotheootherocriminalocaseoregisteredoearlieroinopointoofotimeo againstorespondentoNo.1,oi.e.,ocaseoFIRoNo.325odatedo05.10.2005,oheostoodo dischargedovideoorderodatedo02.06.2014,oasonoticedoabove.oo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -4-o o o

3.6o o Accordingly,o representationso wereo movedo byo respondento No.1oforotreatingotheoperiodoofosuspensionoaso"onoduty".oo

3.7o o Theo department,o undero theo provisiono ofo Ruleo 7.3o ofo theo PunjaboCiviloServicesoRules,oVol.oI,oPartoIo(hereinafteroreferredotooasotheo "PCSoRules"),oorderedothatotheoperiodoofosuspensionofromo07.10.2005otoo

06.03.2006obeotreatedoaso"leaveoofokindodue",ovideoorderodatedo06.11.2014.oo

3.8o o Respondento No.1o representedo too theo departmento foro authorizationoforofullopension,opensionaryobenefitsoandopaymentoofoarrearso ono accounto thereof,o aso wello aso foro necessaryo orderso regardingo theo suspensionoperiodoforotheolastotwoospells,oi.e.o07.10.2005otoo06.03.2006o ando30.10.2007otillo30.08.2010.oTheosaidorepresentationowasorejectedobyoao crypticoorderodatedo16.07.2015,owhichodidonotospellooutogroundsoonowhicho theo sameo hado beeno rejected.o Respondento No.1o hado alsoo filedo representationsodatedo01.12.2015oando29.01.2016oagainstotheoorderodatedo

06.11.2014o wherebyo theo periodo ofo suspensiono foro theo firsto spell,o i.e.o

07.10.2005o too06.03.2006o wasoorderedo too beo treatedoaso "leaveo ofokindo due".oHowever,onooorderowasopassedowithoregardotootheosecondospell,oi.e.o

30.10.2007otillo30.08.2010.oo

3.9o o Aggrievedo byo theo aforesaid,o respondento No.1o preferredo ano appealo beforeo theo Secretary,o Foodo ando Supplies,o Chandigarho Administration,o whicho waso dismissedo ono meritso aso wello aso beingo timeo barredovideoorderodatedo10.03.2016.oo

3.10o o Stillobeingoaggrieved,orespondentoNo.1ochallengedotheoactiono ofotheodepartmentobeforeotheoCentraloAdministrativeoTribunal,oChandigarho Bench,oChandigarho(foroshort,o'theoTribunal')obyowayoofoOA-60/350/2016.o Theo saido originalo applicationo (OA)o waso dismissedo aso withdrawno witho CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -5-o o o libertyotootheoapplicantotoofileoaofreshoOAoonotheosameocauseoofoaction,o afteroremovingotheodefectsoandowithobetteroparticulars,ovideoorderodatedo

20.11.2017.oo

3.11o o Thereafter,oono08.01.2018,otwoooriginaloapplicationsobearingo OAo No.60/36/2018o ando OAo No.60/38/2018,o wereo filedo byo respondento No.1oclaimingofullobenefitsoofotheosuspensionoperiodoincludingosalaryoetc.o TheoclaimoraisedoinoOA-60/36/2018orelatesotootheosuspensionoperiodofromo

31.10.2007o tillo 30.08.2010,o fromo whicho CWP-24251-2025o haso arisen,o whereasoOA-60/38/2018orelatesotootheosuspensionoperiodofromo07.10.2005o tillo06.03.2006,ofromowhichoCWP-24235-2025ohasoarisen.oBothotheoOAso wereoopposedobyotheopetitionersobyofilingowrittenostatementothereto.oo

3.12o o Consideringotheopleadingsoofotheopartiesoandotheorespectiveo submissionso made,o video separateo orderso datedo 13.12.2024,o theo learnedo Tribunalo allowedo botho theo originalo applicationso ando orderedo thato theo suspensionoperiodoinoquestionobeotreatedoaso"onoduty"oandofurtheroorderedo thatoconsequentialobenefits/duesoofotheoapplicant,oasoperorules,obeoalsoopaido withinoaoperiodoofosixoweeks.oo

4.o o Aggrievedobyotheoaforesaidoordersodatedo13.12.2024,otheowrito petitioners,o i.e.o Uniono Territory,o Chandigarho Administrationo ando itso officials,ohaveopreferredotheopresentowritopetitions,ochallengingotheosuprao ordersopassedobyotheolearnedoTribunal.oo

5.o o Ms.oSukhmanioPatwalia,olearnedocounseloforotheopetitionerso hasoemphaticallyocontendedothatorespondentoNo.1owasoacquittedoinocaseo FIRo No.01o datedo 01.01.2009o byo grantingo benefito ofo doubt,o hence,o theo periodo ofo suspensiono fromo 30.10.2007o tillo 30.08.2010,o waso rightlyo consideredoasoleaveoofokindodue.oTherefore,otheoimpugnedoorderopassedobyo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -6-o o o theoTribunalotootreatotheosaidosuspensionoperiodoonoduty,oisoillegaloandothus,o liableotoobeosetoaside.oItoisofurtherosubmittedothatorespondentoNo.1owaso placedo undero suspensiono video ordero datedo 30.10.2007o ono havingo beeno servedocharge-sheetoallegingopilferageoofo48obagsooforiceofromoFCI,oino Augusto 2007,o whicho suspensiono thougho waso revokedo video ordero datedo

30.08.2010obutotheosameowasomadeowithoutoprejudiceotoocriminalocaseoFIRo No.01odatedo01.01.2009,oinowhichorespondentoNo.1ohasobeenoacquittedo afterograntingohimotheobenefitoofodoubt.oItoisocontendedothatotheosuspensiono order,opassedoonoinitiationoofodepartmentaloproceedings,owasosubjectotootheo resultoofotheocriminalocase.oRelianceohasobeenoplacedouponoIqbaloSinghovs.o Stateo ofo Punjabo ando others,o 2023o LICo 2935;o LPAo No.1255o ofo 2023o decidedoono17.09.2024,otitledoasoIqbaloSinghovs.oStateoofoPunjaboando others,o2024:PHHC:124554-DB;oSurajoBhanovs.oStateoofoHaryanaoando another,oLawoFinderoDocoIdo#o2228386,oaffirmedoinoLPAoNo.1201oofo 2022,odecidedoino17.07.2023otitledoasoSurajoBhanovs.oStateoofoHaryanao andoothers,o2023:PHHC:088933-DB;oBaldevoSinghovs.oUnionoofoIndiao andoothers,o(2005)o8oSCCo747oandoDnyaneshwaroKashinathoShinganeo vs.oStateoofoMaharashtraoandoothers,o2023(176)oFLRo979.oo

6.o o Weohaveoheardolearnedocounseloforotheopetitionersoatosomeo lengthoandohaveoperusedotheorecordowithoheroableoassistance.oo

7.o o Theofactsoareonotoinodispute.oItoisoconcededothatoduringotheo serviceooforespondentoNo.1,obeforeohisoretirementoonoattainingotheoageoofo superannuationo ono 30.06.2012,o heo waso implicatedo ino theo followingo proceedings:-o i.ko FIRo No.325o datedo 05.10.2005o undero Sectiono 420o IPCo registeredoatoPoliceoStation,oManimajra.o CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -7-o o o ii.ko Departmento proceedingso whereino charge-sheeto datedo

30.10.2007ohadobeenoissued.oo iii.k FIRo No.01o datedo 01.01.2009,o undero Sectionso 409,o 420,o 467,o468oIPC,oSectiono13o(1)(c)(d)oofotheoPreventionoofo Corruptiono Acto ando Sectiono 7o ofo theo Essentialo CommoditiesoAct,oregisteredoatoPoliceoStationoVigilance,o UToChandigarh.oo o

8.o o Undisputedly,o theo firsto spello ofo suspension,o i.e.o fromo

07.10.2005otillo06.03.2006,owasoonoaccountooforegistrationoofocaseoFIRo No.325odatedo05.10.2005.oTheosecondospelloofosuspensionoperiodofromo

30.10.2007o tillo 30.08.2010,o waso owingo too theo departmento proceedingso againsto respondento No.1,o whereino charge-sheeto waso issuedo too himo ono

30.10.2007.oDuringotheoaforesaidolatterosuspensionoperiod,ocaseoFIRoNo.01o datedo01.01.2009ocameotoobeoregistered,oimplicatingorespondentoNo.1.oItoiso duringotheopendencyoofocriminalotrialoinotheosupraocaseoFIR,otheosuspensiono orderodatedo30.10.2007owasorevokedowithoutoprejudiceotootheoproceedingso ino caseo FIRo No.01o datedo 01.01.2009,o video ordero datedo 30.08.2010.o RespondentoNo.1ohasobeenodischargedoinotheofirstoFIRoandoacquittedoinotheo subsequentoFIR.oNoomaterialohasobeenoplacedoonorecordotooshowothatotheo departmentoproceedingsowereoeveroconcluded.oItois,ohowever,ourgedothatoino viewoofotheoorderodatedo30.08.2010o(supra),otheosaidoproceedingsowouldobeo dependentouponotheooutcomeoofocaseoFIRoNo.1odatedo01.01.2009.o

9.o o Theoquestionothatoarisesoforoconsiderationoisowhetheroinotheo peculiarofactsoandocircumstancesoofotheocase,otheoperiodoofosuspension,oino bothotheospells,ocouldobeotreatedoaso"onoduty"ooronot,ounderotheoPunjabo CiviloServicesoRules.o CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -8-o o o

10.o o Tooappreciateotheoargumentsoadvancedobyolearnedocounseloforo theopetitioners,oitoisonecessaryotooexamineobothotheoaforesaidoproceedings,o i.e.ocriminaloandodepartmental,oasowelloasotooconsiderotheirooutcomeoino relationo too theo consequentialo action,o ino theo lighto ofo theo wello settledo principlesoofoserviceojurisprudence.oo

11.o o Ono ao complainto madeo byo Sh.o S.K.oSetia,o theo theno Lando AcquisitionoOfficer,oUToChandigarh,orespondentoNo.1owasoimplicatedoino caseoFIRoNo.325odatedo05.10.2005.oOwingotooregistrationoofotheoaforesaido criminalocase,orespondentoNo.1owasoplacedounderosuspensionovideoordero datedo07.10.2005,owhichowasorevokedovideoorderodatedo01.03.2006.oInotheo saido criminalo case,o theo complainanto failedo too bringo ono recordo anyo incriminatingoevidenceoagainstorespondentoNo.1.oConcededly,oinotheosaido proceedings,o twiceo cancellationo reportso hado beeno submittedo buto theo complainanto madeo ao statemento thato heo waso noto satisfiedo witho theo investigation.o However,o noo protesto petitiono waso filedo byo him.o Subsequently,oanoapplicationowasomovedobyotheocomplainantostatingothato recordo ofo theo caseo couldo noto beo tracedo ando aso such,o heo expressedo hiso inabilityotoopursueotheocaseoinotheoabsenceooforecord.oKeepingoinoviewotheo aforesaidoandothatothereowasonooincriminatingomaterialoagainstotheoaccused,o respondentoNo.1owasodischargedobyotheocriminaloCourtovideoorderodatedo

02.06.2014,owhichoreadsoasounder:o "OnotheolastodateoofohearingotheocomplainantohadoSoughto timeo too availo appropriateo remedyo againsto theo cancellationo reporto filedobyo theo prosecutiono Todayoano applicationo haso beeno movedo byo theo complainanto Sh.o S.K.oSetia,o theo theno Lando Acquisitiono Officer,o U.T.o Chandigarhostatingothatotheorecordoofotheocaseocouldonoto CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -9-o o o beotracedooutoandoaccordinglyoitocannotobeoestablishedo whethero theo accusedo waso havingo knowledgeo ofo announcementoofoawardooronot.oAsosuchoheohasoshowno hiso ino abilityo statingo thato heo cannoto pursueo witho theo presentomatteroinoabsenceooforecord.oHeard.oAdmittedlyo twiceocancellationoreportsohaveobeenosubmittedoinotheo presentomatterodatedo02.05.2006oando28.04.2008oandoono botho theo occasionso theo complainanto hado goto hiso statementorecordedotootheoeffectothatoheowasonotosatisfiedo withotheoinvestigation,oButotillodateonooprotestopetitiono hasobeenotiledobyotheocomplainant.oMoreosooever,otodayo heo haso showno hiso debilityo too pursueo witho theo presento mater.o Accordingly,o theo cancellationo reporto iso herebyo accepted.o Thereo iso noo pointo keepingo theo presento caseo pending.o Theo accusedo standso discharged.o Thougho theo complainanto shallo beo ato libertyo too availo ino anyo othero remedyoasoavailableounderotheolaw,oifosooadvised.oFileobo sento backo too SSPo Office.o Paperso ofo thiso Courto beo consignedotootheorecordoroom."o o

11.1o o Admittedly,opursuantotootheocharge-sheetodatedo30.10.2007,o consideringotheoreplyosubmittedobyotheodelinquentoofficial,oanoinquiryowaso instituted.o Theo Inquiryo Officero ino hiso reporto submittedo ono 16.09.2008,o exoneratedorespondentoNo.1oasotheochargeoagainstohimowasonotoproved.o Theorelevantoportionoofotheosaidoreportoreadsoasothus:o "6.o Iohaveoexaminedotheo evidenceoandorecordoandohaveo consideredo theo writteno argumentso submittedo byo P.O.o onlyo chargeo againsto Sh.o Sushilo Kumaro Gupta,o C.O.o iso thato heo pilferedo48obags.oTheochargeosheetohasobeenoissuedoonotheo basisoofoaoreportodatedo10.10.2007oofotheothenoJointoDirector,o F&S.o Theo reporto itselfo clearlyo mentionso thato theo physicalo verificationo waso noto carriedo out.o Shortageo waso evidentlyo workedo outo ono theo basiso ofo theo assumptiono thato eacho bago CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -10-o o o containedo standardo 50o k.g.o ando waso alsoo beingo issuedo accordingly.o Actualo positiono iso thato surpluso bagso wereo suppliedobyoF.C.I.otoomakeoupoforotheolossoofoweightothrougho moistureoloss.oThisopleaoofotheoC.O.oinoparao16oofotheoreplyo datedo20.12.07owasonotocontrovertedoatoanyostage.oAnothero importanto factoro whicho standso outo iso theo reporto datedo

31.12.2007owhichomentionsothatotheoquantityo(weight)oshowno inostockoregisterotalliedowithotheobills.oThisodoesonotoshowo anyoshortage.o

7.o Inoviewoofotheoforegoingodiscussionotheochargeoagainsto Sh.oSushiloKumaroGupta,oC.O.odoesonotoproved."o o

11.2o o However,otheo disciplinaryo authorityo gaveo ao dissentingo noteo ando video ordero datedo 25.02.2009,o showo causeo noticeo waso issuedo too respondentoNo.1oproposingotooimposeopenaltyoofostoppageoofooneoannualo gradeoincrementowithocumulativeoeffect.oRespondentoNo.1osubmittedoreplyo datedo09.03.2009,owhereinoitowasosubmittedothatoheowasofalselyoinvolvedo ino caseo FIRo No.01o datedo 01.01.2009.o Thereafter,o video ordero datedo

30.08.2010,o theo suspensiono ofo theo applicant/respondento No.1o waso ultimatelyorevoked.o

11.3o o Ono ao queryo ofo theo Court,o regardingo theo departmento proceedings,olearnedocounseloforotheopetitionersohasonotobeenoableotoopointo outoanyomaterialotooshowothatotheosameoeveroproceededobeyondotheostageoofo issuanceoofoshowocauseonoticeoandoreplyothereto.oInofact,oafterorevocationo ofotheosuspensionovideoorderodatedo30.08.2010,owhichowasomadeosubjectotoo outcomeoofocaseoFIRoNo.01odatedo01.01.2009,orespondentoNo.1oretiredoono attainingotheoageoofosuperannuationoono30.06.2012.oHowever,otheoperiodoofo hisosuspensionofromo30.10.2007otillo30.08.2010owasonotoregularized.oInotheo absenceoofoanyomaterialotooshowothatotheodepartmentaloproceedingsohado CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -11-o o o concluded,o noto mucho relianceo cano beo placedo ono theo contentiono thato respondentoNo.1,othoughoexoneratedobyotheoInquiryoOfficer,odespiteothato wasoproceededoagainstoonotheobasisoofoaodissentingonoteorecordedobyotheo disciplinaryo authority.o Nevertheless,o theo chargeo levelledo againsto theo delinquentoofficialowasorequiredotoobeoprovedobyoleadingocogentoevidenceo ino theo saido departmentalo proceedings.o Ino theo absenceo ofo anyo evidenceo havingo beeno shown,o eveno beforeo thiso Courto thato anyo adverseo ordero imposingo anyo punishmento ino theo departmentalo proceedingso waso evero passed,onooadverseoinferenceocanobeodrawnoagainstorespondentoNo.1oquao theosaidodepartmentaloproceedings.o

11.4o o Moreover,o duringo theo trialo ino caseo FIRo No.01o datedo

01.01.2009,ounderoSectionso409,o420,o467,o468oIPC,oSectiono13o(1)(c)(d)o ofo theo Preventiono ofo Corruptiono Acto ando Sectiono 7o ofo theo Essentialo CommoditiesoAct,oregisteredoatoPoliceoStationoVigilance,oUToChandigarh,o nooevidenceowasobroughtoonorecordotoosuggestothatorespondentoNo.1ohado manipulatedotheorecordowhileopreparingotheolabourochargesobillsoofolabouro contractoro oro hado misappropriatedo anyo fund.o Foro wanto ofo evidenceo connectingo theo accusedo witho theo commissiono ofo anyo ofo theo offenceso alleged,orespondentoNo.1owasoacquittedoono01.05.2014.oTheoprosecutiono failedotooadduceoanyocogentoandoconvincingoevidenceotoosubstantiateotheo chargeo framedo againsto theo accused.o Ito waso thuso concludedo thato theo prosecutionohadonotobeenoableotoobringohomeoguiltoofotheoaccused,oatoleasto beyondo reasonableo doubt.o Ao meticulouso examinationo ofo theo judgmento datedo 01.05.2014o passedo byo learnedo Specialo Judge,o Chandigarho ino theo supraocaseoFIR,owouldoshowothatonoodirectoevidenceohadobeenoledobyotheo prosecutionotooconnectotheoaccusedowithotheoallegedooffence,oinoorderotoo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -12-o o o substantiateo theo chargeo framedo againsto theo accused.o Thougho ino theo concludingo paragraph,o theo learnedo Specialo Judgeo haso observedo thato providingobenefitoofodoubt,otheoaccusedoisoorderedotoobeoacquittedoofotheo chargesoframedoagainstohim,obutotheosaidoobservationoisoinotheolightoofotheo cardinaloprincipleoofocriminalolawonoticedoinotheoprecedingoparagraph.oOno aocompleteoreadingoofotheojudgmentodatedo01.05.2014,ofindingohasobeeno recordedothatothereowasonooevidenceoonorecordowhichosuggestsoimplicationo oforespondentoNo.1otootheoextentoofotheochargeoframedoagainstohim.oThus,o theoacquittaloisoforowantoofoevidenceoagainstorespondentoNo.1oandonotoono accountoofohavingobeenograntedotheobenefitoofodoubt.oTheorelevantoportiono ofotheojudgmentodatedo01.05.2014,oisoextractedohereunder:o "28.o Thus,othereoisonothingoonorecordowhichosuggestsothato anyo losso haso beeno incurredo duringo theo tenureo ofo accusedo SushiloKumaroGuptaoatotheoPRoCentreotootheoGovernmento Exchequer.o Further,o ito iso alsoo provedo ono recordo thato noo complainto fromo anyo quartero wereo evero receivedo byo theo departmentoofoFoodoandoSupply,oU.T.,oChandigarhoinorespecto ofoanyoloss,oshortcoming,oorononosupplyoofoFoodoGrainotootheo depotoholdersooromobileovansoduringotheotenureoofoaccusedo SushiloGupta.oItoisoalsooprovedoonorecordothatonoopilferageoofo anyokindoofofoodograinsohasoeverobeenocommittedobyoaccusedo SushiloKumaroGupta.oTheoprosecutionohasofailedotooproveoono recordoanyoentrustmentoofosuchofoodograinsotooSushiloKumaro Guptaoaccusedowhichowereoneverodisbursedoorosuppliedobyo himofurtherotootheodepotoholdersoorootherocentersounderoFoodo &oSupplyoDepartment,oU.T.,oChandigarh."o "30.o TheoanotheroallegationolevelledoagainstoSushiloKumaro Gupta,oaccusedobyotheoprosecutionoisothatoLabouroChargeso BillsoofoPRoCentreowereoprepared,overifiedoandopassedobyo SushiloKumaroGuptaohimselfowithoutoanyoauthorityoandohaso misappropriatedotheogovernmentofunds.oInoorderotooproveotheo aforesaido allegation,o theo prosecutiono haso examinedo labouro CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -13-o o o Contractoro Amaro Chando aso PW-12,o however,o thiso witnesso hasoadmittedoinohisocrossoexaminationothatobeingoilliterateoheo usedo too requesto theo Incharge,o P.R.o Centreo oro someo othero personolikeodepotoholderoifoavailableotooprepareotheobillsoforo himo ando Mangalo Singh,o Inspector,o H.R.o Kalia,o Ashwanio Kumaroetc.ohaveoalsoopreparedohisobillsoonohisorequestoandoheo hasosimplyosignedotheosameoinotokenoofotheoaccuracyoofotheo same.oHeofurtheroadmittedothatoheousedotooreceiveopaymento fromotheodepartmentoofoloading-unloadingocharges,ostacking,o weighmentoofotheofoodograinsoatotheoP.R.oCentreoinoviewoofo theo contracto approvedo byo theo department.o Thus,o fromo theo aboveoitoisoevidentothatothereoisonooevidenceoonorecordowhicho suggestsothatoSushiloKumaroGupta,oaccusedohasomanipulatedo theorecordowhileopreparingotheolabourochargesobillsoofolabouro contractoroorohasomisappropriatedoanyofund."o "33.o Thus,obyonowothisoCourtohasocomeotootheoconclusiono thatoprosecutionohasofailedotooconnectoaccusedoSushiloKumaro Guptaowithotheocommissionoofoanyoofotheooffences.oItowaso incumbento upono theo prosecutiono too adduceo cogento ando convincingo evidenceo ino ordero too substantiateo theo chargeo framedoagainstotheoaccused.oItoisotheocardinaloprincipleoofo criminalolawothatoinocriminalocases,otheoguiltoofotheoaccusedo isotoobeoprovedobyoindubitableoevidenceoandotheoconjectureso andosurmises,ohoweverostrongomayobe,ocannototakeoplaceoofo proof.oTheobenefitoofodoubtoasoandowhenotheosameoarises,o howevero marginalo theo sameo mayo be,o iso boundo too tilto ino favouroofotheoaccused.o

34.o Inotheolightoofowhatoisodiscussedoaboveoandowithouto elaboratingofurther,oitoisoheldothatotheoprosecutionohasonoto beenoableotoobringohomeoguiltotootheoaccusedoatoleastobeyondo reasonableo doubt.o Resultantly,o providingo benefito ofo doubt,o theoaccusedoisoorderedotoobeoacquittedoofotheochargesoframedo againstohim.oFileobeoconsignedotootheorecordoroom."o o

12.oo o Aobareoperusaloofotheoaboveoreproductionowouldoshowothato though,oinoparagrapho34,oitohasobeenomentionedothatotheobenefitoofodoubtoiso CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -14-o o o beingogivenotootheoaccusedobut,oinoparagrapho33,otheofindingoofotheoCourtoiso thato theo prosecutiono haso failedo too connecto theo accusedo witho theo commissionoofoanyooffence.oOnceothereoisoaobitoofoconfusionoinoparagraphso 33o ando 34,o theo fullojudgmento iso toobeo seeno aso too whato isotheo basiso ofo acquittalo byo theo court.o Ao bareo readingo ofo theo ordero passedo byo theo competento Courto ofo lawo showso thato thereo waso noo materialo broughto ono recordotooconnectotheoaccusedowithotheoallegedooffence.oOnceothereoisonoo material,oitocannotobeosaidothatotheobenefitoofodoubtoisotoobeogivenotooacquito theoaccused.oTheobenefitoofodoubtoisoonlyogiven,owhereotheomaterialoiso broughtoonorecordobutotheosameocastsosomeoshadowoofodoubt,oowhichoisonoto theocaseoquaotheorespondentoherein.oTherefore,oforoallointentsoandopurposes,o respondento No.1o waso acquittedo becauseo theo prosecutiono hado failedo too connectotheoaccusedowithotheocommissionoofooffenceoandodidonotoadduceo cogentoevidenceotoosubstantiateotheochargesoframedoagainstotheoaccused.o Hence,o ito haso too beo treatedo aso acquittalo ono meritso foro allo intentso ando purposes.oo

13.o o Itowouldobeogainfulotoomakeoaoreferenceotootheosettledolegalo positiono ono theo subject.o Ao coordinateo bencho ofo thiso Courto whileo consideringoaosimilaropropositionoinoBhagoSinghovs.oPunjaboandoSindo Bank,o2005o(6)oSLRo464oheldothatowhenoacquittaloinocriminaloproceedingso isoforowantoofoevidence,omereomentionoofobenefitoofodoubtobyotheocriminalo Courtoisosuperfluousoandobaseless.oItowasofurtheroheldothatotheomereouseoofo expressiono'benefitoofodoubt'ooro'notoprovedobeyondoreasonableodoubt'obyo theotrialoCourtoorotheoappellateoCourt,ocannotobeopermittedotooconvertoano acquittaloonotheogroundoofonooevidence,otoosomethingolessothanothat.oItowaso furthero heldo thato theo conceptso ofo 'Honourableo Acquittal',o 'fullyo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -15-o o o exonerated'o oro 'acquittedo ofo blame'o areo allo unknowno too theo Criminalo Procedureo Code,o 1973.o Therefore,o theo termo 'benefito ofo doubt'o cannoto detractofromotheoimpactoofotheoacquittal.oAosimilaroviewoexpressedobyotheo learnedosingleoJudgeoinoJagmohanoLalov.oStateoofoPunjabothroughoSecy.o tooPunjaboGovt.oIrrigationoandoothers.,oAIRo1967oPunjaboandoHaryanao 422,owasoreliedouponobyotheosupraoDivisionoBench,owhereinoitowasoheldo thato ito iso futileo too expecto ao findingo ofo eithero honourableo acquittalo oro completeoinnocenceoinoaojudgmentoofoacquittal.oTheoreasonoisoobvious;otheo criminaloCourtsoareonotoconcernedotoofindotheoinnocenceoofotheoaccused.o Theyoareoonlyoconcernedotoofindowhetherotheoprosecutionohasosucceededoino provingobeyondoaoreasonableodoubtotheoguiltoofotheoaccused.oTheorelevanto portiono ofo theo judgmento ino Bhago Singh'so caseo (supra),o iso reproducedo hereunder:-o "ItowasoinoviewoofotheoaforesaidofindingsothatotheoDivisiono Bencho heldo thato theo employeeo hado noto beeno honourablyo acquitted.o Weo haveo extractedo theo relevanto parto ofo theo judgmento giveno byo theo trialo courto ino theo presento case.o Ao perusaloofotheosameowouldoshowotheouseoofotheoexpressionobyo theolearnedotrialocourtothatotheoprosecutionohasofailedotoobringo homeo theo chargeo too theo accusedo beyondo anyo reasonableo doubt,owouldonotoobliterateotheoearlierodiscussionoofotheotrialo Courtowhichoclearlyoestablishedothatothereowasonooevidenceo againsto theo petitionero whicho wouldo tendo too showo thato theo petitionero waso involvedo ino anyo undesirableo activities.o Therefore,otheoobservationsomadeobyotheoDivisionoBenchoino theo caseo ofo Keralao Stateo Handloomo Developmento Corporationo Ltd.o (supra),o wouldo noto beo applicableo too theo factsoandocircumstancesoofotheopresentocase."oo o

14.o o BeforeotheoTribunal,orespondentoNo.1ohadoalsooreliedoupono theodivisionobenchojudgmentoinoSmt.oPoonamoRaniovs.oUttaroHaryanao CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -16-o o o BijlioVitranoNigamoLtd.o2008(1)oSCTo819oandoShivoKumaroGoelovs.oStateo ofoHaryana,o2007(1)oSLRo633,owhichoareofullyoapplicableotootheofactsoofo theopresentocase.oo

15.o o Inotheopresentocase,orespondentoNo.1owasodischargedoinocaseo FIRoNo.325odatedo05.10.2005oasotheocomplainantocouldonotoproduceoanyo incriminatingoevidenceoagainstohim.oLearnedocounseloforotheopetitionersoiso notoinoaopositionotoorefuteothatotheocaseolaworeliedouponobyoherowouldonoto beoapplicableoinotheoproceedingsoinocaseoFIRoNo.325odatedo05.10.2005,o wherebyotheocancellationoreportowasoacceptedoandorespondentoNo.1owaso dischargedovideoorderodatedo02.06.2014.oo

15.1o o Aso noticedo hereinabove,o respondento No.1o waso acquittedo ino caseoFIRoNo.01odatedo01.01.2009ovideojudgmentodatedo01.05.2014.oTheo departmentohavingofailedotoobringoanyoincriminatingoevidenceotooconnecto respondento No.1o witho theo offenceso alleged,o theo accusedo waso fullyo exoneratedoofotheochargeoframedoagainstohim.oo

15.2o o Similarly,otheodepartmentaloproceedingsowhereinorespondento No.1ohadobeenocharge-sheetedoono30.10.2007,owereodroppedoforoallointentso ando purposes,o aso ono theo sameo seto ofo allegations,o FIRo No.01o datedo

01.01.2009o(supra)ohadobeenoregistered.oRespondentoNo.1owasoallowedotoo rejoino dutyo byo revokingo theo suspensiono w.e.f.o 30.08.2010,o wheno investigation/proceedingsoinocaseoFIRoNo.01odatedo01.01.2009owereostillo underoway.oo

16.o o Ito wouldo beo appositeo too refero too theo relevanto ruleso ofo theo PunjaboCiviloServicesoRules,oVolume-I,owhichoareoextractedohereunder:-o o"7.3.o (1)o Wheno ao Governmento employee,o whoo haso beeno dismissed,o removedo oro compulsorilyo retired,o iso CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -17-o o o reinstatedoasoaoresultoofoappeal,orevisionoororeview,oorowouldo haveo beeno soo reinstatedo buto foro hiso retiremento ono superannuationowhileounderosuspensionooronot,otheoauthorityo competentotooorderore-instatementoshalloconsideroandomakeoao specificoorder–o

(a)oo regardingotheopayoandoallowancesotoobeopaidotoo theoGovernmentoemployeeoforotheoperiodoofohiso absenceo fromo dutyo includingo theo periodo ofo suspension,oprecedingohisodismissal,oremovalooro compulsoryoretirement,oasotheocaseomayobe;oando

(b)oo whetherooronototheosaidoperiodoshallobeotreatedo asoaoperiodospentoonoduty.o o

(2)o Whereo theo authorityo competento too ordero re-instatemento iso ofo opiniono thato theo Governmento employee,o whoohadobeenodismissed,oremovedoorocompulsorilyoretired,o hasobeenofullyoexonerated,otheoGovernmentoemployeeoshall,o subjectotootheoprovisionsoofosub-ruleo(6),obeopaidohisofullopayo andoallowancesotoowhichoheowouldohaveobeenoentitled,ohado heonotobeenodismissed,oremovedoorocompulsorilyoretiredooro suspended,opriorotoosuchodismissal,oremovaloorocompulsoryo retirement,oasotheocaseomayobe:o Providedothatowhereosuchoauthorityoisoofoopinionothato theo terminationo ofo theo proceedingso institutedo againsto theo Governmento employeeo hado beeno delayedo dueo too reasonso directlyo attributableo too theo Governmento employeeo ito may,o afterogivingohimoanoopportunityotoomakeorepresentationoando aftero consideringo theo representation,o ifo any,o submittedo byo him,odirect,ofororeasonsotoobeorecordedoinowriting,othatotheo Governmento employeeo shall,o subjecto too theo provisionso ofo sub-ruleo(7),obeopaidoforotheoperiodoofosuchodelayoonlyosucho amounto(notobeingotheowhole)oofopayoandoallowances,oasoito mayodetermine.o

(3)oInoaocaseofallingounderosub-ruleo(2),otheoperiodoofo absenceo fromo dutyo includingo theo periodo ofo suspensiono precedingodismissal,oremovaloorocompulsoryoretirement,oaso CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -18-o o o theocaseomayobe,oshallobeotreatedoasoaoperiodospentoonodutyo foroallopurposes."o o

7.3-B.o (1)o Wheno ao Governmento employeeo whoo haso beeno suspendedo iso reinstatedo oro wouldo haveo beeno soo re-instatedo buto foro hiso retiremento ono superannuationo whileo undero suspensiono theo authorityo competento too ordero re-instatementoshalloconsideroandomakeoaospecificoordero–oo

(a)ooregardingotheopayoandoallowanceotoobeopaidotootheo Governmento employeeo foro theo periodo ofo suspensionoendingowithore-instatementoorotheodateo ofohisoretirementoonosuperannuation,oasotheocaseo mayobe;oandoo

(b)oowhetherooronototheosaidoperiodoshallobeotreatedoaso aoperiodospentoonoduty.oo o

(2)oNotwithstandingoanythingocontainedoinoruleo7.3ooro ruleo7.3-A,owhereoaoGovernmentoemployeeounderosuspensiono diesobeforeotheodisciplinaryoorocourtoproceedingsoinstitutedo againstohim,oareoconcluded,otheoperiodobetweenotheodateoofo suspensionoandotheodateoofodeathoshallobeotreatedoasospentoono dutyoforoallopurposesoandohisofamilyoshallobeopaidotheofullopayo andoallowancesoforothatoperiodotoowhichoheowouldohaveobeeno entitled,ohadoheonotobeenosuspended,osubjectotooadjustmentoino respectoofosubsistenceoallowanceoalreadyopaid.oo

(3)o Whereo theo authorityo competento too ordero re-instatemento iso ofo opiniono thato theo suspensiono waso whollyo unjustified,otheoGovernmentoemployeeoshall,osubjectotootheo provisionso ofo sub-ruleo (8),o beo paido theo fullo payo ando allowancesotoowhichoheowouldohaveobeenoentitled,ohadoheonoto beenosuspended:oo Providedothatowhereosuchoauthorityoisoofoopinionothato theo terminationo ofo theo proceedingso institutedo againsto theo Governmento employee,o hado beeno delayedo dueo too reasonso directlyoattributableotootheoGovernmentoemployee,oito may,o afterogivingohimoanoopportunityotoomakeohisorepresentationo andoafteroconsideringotheorepresentation,oifoany,osubmittedobyo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -19-o o o him,odirect,ofororeasonsotoobeorecordedoinowriting,othatotheo Governmentoemployeeoshallobeopaidoforotheoperiodoofosucho delayoonlyosuchoamounto(notobeingotheowhole)oofosuchopayo andoallowancesoasoitomayodetermine.oo

(4)oInoaocaseofallingounderosub-ruleo(3),otheoperiodoofo suspensionoshallobeotreatedoasoaoperiodospentoonodutyoforoallo purposes.oo

(5)oInocasesootherothanothoseofallingounderosub-ruleso

(2)oando(3),otheoGovernmentoemployeeoshall,osubjectotootheo provisionsoofosub-ruleso(8)oando(9),obeopaidosuchoamounto(noto beingo theo whole)o ofo theo payo ando allowanceso too whicho heo wouldohaveobeenoentitled,ohadoheonotobeenosuspended,oasotheo competentoauthorityomayodetermine,oafterogivingonoticeotoo theo Governmento employeeo ofo theo quantumo proposedo ando aftero consideringo theo representation,o ifo any,o submittedo byo himo ino thato connectiono withino sucho periodo aso mayo beo specifiedoinotheonotice.oo

(6)oWhereosuspensionoisorevokedopendingofinalisationo ofotheodisciplinaryoorocourtoproceedings,oanyoorderopassedo underosub-ruleo(1)obeforeotheoconclusionoofotheoproceedingso againstotheoGovernmentoemployeeoshallobeoreviewedoonoitso ownomotionoafterotheoconclusionoofotheoproceedingsobyotheo authorityomentionedoinosub-ruleo(1)owhooshallomakeoanoordero accordingotootheoprovisionsoofosub-ruleo(3)oorosub-ruleo(5),oaso theocaseomayobe.oo

(7)oInoaocaseofallingounderosub-ruleo(5),otheoperiodoofo suspensionoshallonotobeotreatedoasoaoperiodo spentoonodutyo unlesso theo competento authorityo specificallyo directso thato ito shallobeosootreatedoforoanyospecifiedopurpose:oProvidedothatoifo theo Governmento employeeo soo desireso sucho authorityo mayo orderothatotheoperiodoofosuspensionoshallobeoconvertedointoo leaveo ofo anyo kindo dueo ando admissibleo too theo Governmento employee.oNote.–Theoorderoofotheocompetentoauthorityoundero theoprecedingoprovisooshallobeoabsoluteoandonoosanctionoofo theohigheroauthorityoshallobeonecessaryoforotheograntoof–o(a)o extraordinaryoleaveoinoexcessoofothreeomonthsoinotheocaseoofo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -20-o o o temporaryoGovernmentoemployee;oando(b)oleaveoofoanyokindo inoexcessoofofiveoyearsoinotheocaseoofopermanentoGovernmento employee.oo

(8)o Theo paymento ofo allowanceso undero sub-ruleo (2),o sub-ruleo (3)o oro sub-ruleo (5)o shallo beo subjecto too allo othero conditionsounderowhichosuchoallowancesoareoadmissible.o(9)o Theoamountodeterminedounderotheoprovisootoosub-ruleo(3)ooro undero sub-ruleo (5)o shallo noto beo lesso thano theo subsistenceo allowanceoandootheroallowancesoadmissibleounderoruleo7.2"o o

17.o o Ono ao conspectuso ofo theo aforesaid,o ito iso wello settledo thato ao Governmentoemployeeowhoohadobeenodismissed,oremovedoorocompulsorilyo retired,oorohavingobeenofullyoexonerated,oisotoobeopaidohisofullopayoando allowancesotoowhichoheowouldohaveobeenoentitledobutoforotheoaforesaid,o andotheoperiodoofosuspensionoisotoobeotreatedoasoperiodospentoonodutyoforoallo purposes.oAsoperotheorulesoreproducedohereinbefore,oitoisoclearothatowhereo anoemployeeowhoohasobeenodismissedofromoserviceoandoremainsooutoofo serviceobutoafterotheoexonerationoisobroughtobackointootheoservice,otheno also,ohe/sheoisoentitledoforofullosalary,owhereas,orespondentoNo.1ohereoisoono aomuchobetterofootingoas,oheowasoneverodismissedofromoserviceobutowaso onlyosuspendedoandohisosuspensionowasoalsoorevokedosooasotoobeoreinstatedo intooserviceoandohasoalreadyobeenoexoneratedoofoallotheoallegationsoallegedo againstohimoinotheocriminaloproceedingsoandotheoallegationsoallegedoagainsto theodepartmentaloproceedingsowereoneverotakenotootheologicaloendosooasotoo imposeoanyopunishmentouponohimopriorotootheodateoheoisosuperannuatedo fromoserviceoinotheoyearo2012.oHence,oifotheoconsequentialobenefitoofotheo serviceoforowhichoanoemployeeoremainedooutofromotheojoboisotoobeotreatedo asoaodutyoperiodowithoconsequentialobenefitsouponoexoneration,orespondento CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -21-o o o No.1ocouldonotohaveobeenodeniedotheobenefitoofotreatingohisosuspensiono periodo aso ao dutyo periodo witho consequentialo benefitso aso noo allegationso allegedo againstohimo inotheo criminaloproceedingso stoodoproved,o andotheo departmentalo proceedingso nevero goto concludedo soo aso too imposeo anyo punishment.o

18.o o Ino allo fairnesso too learnedo counselo foro theo petitioners,o theo judgmentsoreliedouponobyoheroareobeingoindividuallyodiscussedoandotheo sameoareodistinguishableoonofactsoandoinolaw;ohence,otheosameoareonoto applicableoinotheopresentocase.ooo

19.o o InoIqbaloSingh'socaseo(supra),otheoGovernmentoemployeeowaso suspendedoonoaccountooforegistrationoofomurderocaseoandohisoarrestobyotheo police.oInotheosaidocase,otheosaidoemployeeowasoacquittedoonobenefitoofo doubto ando thereafter,o waso permittedo too rejoin.o Backo wageso too theo saido employeeowereodeniedoasoitowasoheldothatotheodepartmentocannotobeoatofaulto forohavingokeptohimooutoofoserviceowhereasoinotheofactsoandocircumstanceso ofotheopresentocaseoasoheldoearlier,otheoacquittaloofotheorespondentoherein,o waso ono theo groundo thato theo evidenceo waso noto broughto connecto theo respondentowithotheoallegationsoalleged.oo

20.o o Inoo Surajo Bhan'so caseo (supra),o theo employeeo waso dismissedodueotooconvictionoandowasosubsequentlyoacquittedoonobenefitoofo doubt.oItoisoalsoonoticedothatotheoallegationsoagainstotheoemployeeowereo levelledobyoaothirdoperson,orelatingotoocheating,owhereinoheowasoheldoguiltyo ando upono hiso conviction,o heo waso dismissedo fromo service.o Ino theo saido circumstances,oitocouldonotobeosaidothatotheodepartmentohadoanyoroleotoo playo eithero ino initiatingo criminalo proceedingso oro ino theo convictiono thereafter.oApplyingotheosettledoprincipleoofolawobyotheoHon'bleoSupremeo CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -22-o o o CourtoinoCiviloAppealoNo.8565oofo2003otitledoasoUnionoofoIndiaovs.oJaipalo Singh,o decidedo ono 03.11.2003,o reportedo ino (2004)o 1o SCCo 121,o theo Governmentoemployeeowasodeniedotheobenefitoofobackowagesouponohiso reinstatement.o However,o theo factualo positiono iso veryo differento ino theo presento case,o whereino respondento No.1o standso fullyo exoneratedo ofo theo chargeoagainstohim,oasotheoprosecutionomiserablyofailedotoobringoonorecordo incriminatingoevidenceoagainstohim.oo

21.o o SimilarowasotheofactualoandolegalopositionoinoDnyaneshwaro KashinathoShingane'socaseo(supra),owhereinotheoGovernmentoemployeeo waso suspendedo dueo too theo FIRo filedo againsto himo foro offenceso undero Sectionso498-A,o307,o494oreadowithoSectiono34oofotheoIndianoPenaloCode.o Ito waso furthero heldo ino theo saido caseo thato theo employeeo facedo criminalo prosecutiono arisingo outo ofo hiso privateo affairso unconnectedo witho performanceoofohisoduties.oHowever,otheosameoisonotosooinotheopresentocase.oo

22.o o InoBaldevoSingh'socaseo(supra),otheoemployeeowasoconvictedo ino theo criminalo caseo ando thereafter,o dismissedo fromo service.o Ono beingo acquittedoinoappealoandothereafter,obeingoreinstated,oitowasoheldothatomerelyo becauseothereohasobeenoanoacquittalodoesonotoautomaticallyoentitleohimotoo getosalaryoforotheoconcernedoperiodounderotheorelevantoprovisionsoofotheo ArmyoAct,o1950.oTheoPunjaboCiviloServicesoRulesowereonotoinvolvedooro discussedoinothatodecisionoandothus,otheosaidojudgmentoisonotoapplicable,oaso such.oo

23.o o Noootheroargumentohasobeenoraised.o

24.o o Accordingly,okeepingoinoviewotheoaforesaidodiscussionoando thato theo petitionerso haveo noto beeno ableo too makeo outo ao caseo thato theo impugnedojudgmentopassedobyotheoCentraloAdministrativeoTribunalosufferso CWP-24235oando24251-2025o -23-o o o fromoanyoperversityoeitheroonofactsooroonolawooroanyojurisdictionaloerroro warrantingointerference,otheoinstantowritopetitionsobeingodevoidoofomerit,o areodismissed.oo

25.o o Aophotocopyoofothisoorderobeoplacedoonotheoconnectedofile.oo o o o o o oo(HARSIMRANoSINGHoSETHI)o ooooooooooooooo(VIKASoSURI)o oooooooooooJUDGEo oooooooooooo o oooooooooooJUDGEo o o o

21.08.2025o o sumit.ko o o o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo:o o Yesoo Noo o WhetheroReportableo:o o o Yeso Noo