UNION OF INDIA & ORS.versusRAM BAHADUR YADAV

                        [2021] 11 S.C.R. 275                            275


                     UNION OF INDIA & ORS.                              A
                                 v.
                     RAM BAHADUR YADAV
                  (Civil Appeal No. 9334 of 2010)
                       NOVEMBER 26, 2021                                B
    [R. SUBHASH REDDY AND HRISHIKESH ROY, JJ.]
      Service law:
       Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987: r. 161 – Special
Procedure in certain cases – Mandate of the Rule to record reasons      C
– On facts, allegation that the head constable had conspired with
the main accused for commission of theft of Non-Judicial Stamp
Papers nearly worth of Rs.1 Crore – Disciplinary enquiry dispensed
with – Dismissal order was passed without indicating any reasons
for dispensing with the inquiry except stating the allegation against
                                                                        D
the Constable – High Court set aside the dismissal order – On appeal,
held: To pass an order as disciplinary measure, by adopting special
procedure in certain cases, r. 161 itself mandates recording of
reasons – Dismissal of a regular member of Force, is a drastic
measure – r. 161 which prescribes dispensing with an inquiry and
to pass order against a member of Force, cannot be invoked in a         E
routine and mechanical manner, unless there are compelling and
valid reasons – By merely repeating the language of the Rule in the
order of dismissal, will not make the order valid one, unless valid
and sufficient reasons are recorded to dispense with the inquiry –
When the Rule mandates recording of reasons, the very order should
                                                                        F
disclose the reasons for dispensing with the inquiry – Words ‘not
reasonably practicable’ as used in the Rule, are to be understood in
a manner that in a given situation, ordinary and prudent man should
come to conclusion that in such circumstances, it is not practicable
– In the instant case, there appears no valid reason to dispense
with inquiry and to invoke r. 161 – As regards grant of back wages,     G
grant of 50% of back-wages is just and fair in the facts and
circumstances of the case – Thus, the order passed by the High
Court upheld.


                                                                        H
                                275
276            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                      [2021] 11 S.C.R.


A           Dismissing the appeal, the Court
              HELD: 1.1 From a reading of r. 161 of the Railway
      Protection Force Rules, 1987, it is clear that to pass an order as
      disciplinary measure, by adopting special procedure in certain
      cases, Rule 161 itself mandates recording of reasons. The normal
B     rule for conducting an inquiry is governed by Rules 132, 148 and
      153 of the RPF Rules. If the Authorities invoke special procedure,
      unless they record reasons, as contemplated in the Rule itself,
      no order could have been passed by invoking Rule 161. At no
      point of time, appellants have produced file to show that any
      reasons are recorded in such file also. It is a settled legal position
C     that when Rules contemplate method and manner to adopt special
      procedure, it is mandatory on the part of the authorities to exercise
      such power by adhering to the Rule strictly. Dismissal of a regular
      member of Force, is a drastic measure. Rule 161, which prescribes
      dispensing with an inquiry and to pass order against a member of
D     Force, cannot be invoked in a routine and mechanical manner,
      unless there are compelling and valid reasons. The dismissal
      order does not indicate any reason for dispensing with inquiry
      except stating that the respondent had colluded with the other
      Head Constable for theft of Non Judicial Stamp Papers. By merely
      repeating the language of the Rule in the order of dismissal, will
E     not make the order valid one, unless valid and sufficient reasons
      are recorded to dispense with the inquiry. When the Rule
      mandates recording of reasons, the very order should disclose
      the reasons for dispensing with the inquiry. The submission that
      if file contains reasons, same is sufficient to maintain the order,
F     cannot be accepted. When inquiry is not conducted, member of
      the Force is entitled to know the reasons for dispensing with
      inquiry before passing any order as a disciplinary measure. The
      respondent was only a Head Constable during the relevant point
      of time and he was not in powerful position, so as to say that he
      would have influenced or threatened the witnesses, had the inquiry
G     was conducted. The very fact that they have conducted confidential
      inquiry, falsifies the stand of the appellants that it was not
      reasonably practicable to hold an inquiry. The words ‘not
      reasonably practicable’ as used in the Rule, are to be understood
      in a manner that in a given situation, ordinary and prudent man
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    UNION OF INDIA & ORS. v. RAM BAHADUR YADAV                         277


should come to conclusion that in such circumstances, it is not        A
practicable. In the instant case, there appears no valid reason to
dispense with inquiry and to invoke Rule 161 of the Rules. The
view taken by the High Court is accepted. [Para 9][281-C-H;
282-A-C]
       1.2 With regard to grant of back wages, by the time, the        B
order came to be passed by the Single Judge, the respondent
had retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation.
In normal course, it would have been permitted to hold inquiry,
but keeping in mind that the respondent had retired from service
even before the judgment was rendered by the Single Judge,
this Court is not inclined to do so at this stage. Though, it is       C
alleged that the respondent had conspired with the main accused
for commission of theft of Non-Judicial Stamp Papers nearly worth
of Rs.1 Crore, but not even a police complaint was filed for
reasons best known to the appellants. Grant of back wages
depends on facts and circumstances of each case. In the instant        D
case, the respondent was not given any opportunity to defend his
case at all. It is clearly well settled that any amount of suspicion
cannot be equated to proof. The grant of 50% of back-wages is
just and fair in the facts and circumstances of the case. The High
Court has correctly granted 50% of the back wages to the
respondent. There is no ground to interfere with the impugned          E
order passed by the High Court [Para 11, 13][282-E, F-H; 283-
A-B, C, D-E]
      Deepali Gundu Surwase v. Kranti Junior Adhyapak
      Mahavidyalaya (D.Ed.) & Others (2013) 10 SCC 324
      : [2013] 9 SCR 1 – relied on.                                    F

      Sahadeo Singh & Others v. Union Of India & Others
      (2003) 9 SCC 75; Tarsem Singh v. State of Punjab &
      Others (2006) 13 SCC 581; Commissioner of Police,
      Delhi & Others v. Jai Bhagwan (2011) 6 SCC 376 :
      [2011] 7 SCR 558; Jaswant Singh v. State of Punjab &             G
      Others (1991) 1 SCC 362 : [1990] 3 Suppl. SCR 354;
      M/s. Hindustan Tin Works Pvt. Limited v. The Employees
      of M/s. Hindustan Tin Works Private Limited & Others
      (1979) 2 SCC 80 : [1979] 1 SCR 563 – referred to.
                                                                       H
278            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                       [2021] 11 S.C.R.


A                            Case Law Reference
      (2003) 9 SCC 75                referred to               Para 5
      (2006) 13 SCC 581              referred to               Para 5
      [2011] 7 SCR 558               referred to               Para 5
B     [1990] 3 Suppl. SCR 354        referred to               Para 6
      [2013] 9 SCR 1                 relied on                 Para 11
      [1979] 1 SCR 563               referred to               Para 12
            CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 9334
C     of 2010.
             From the Judgment and Order dated 07.04.2009 of the High Court
      of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench, Lucknow in Special Appeal
      No.230 of 2009.
           Ms. Kiran Suri, Sr. Adv., Piyush Beriwal, Ms. Nidhi Khanna,
D     Ms. Reena Pandey, Amrish Kumar, Advs. for the Appellants.
            S. R. Singh, Sr. Adv., Prateek Yadav, Ankur Yadav, Krishna Kumar
      Yadav, Mitr Rao, Advs. for the Respondent.
            The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
E           R. SUBHASH REDDY, J.
            1. This Civil Appeal is filed aggrieved by the judgment and order
      dated 07.04.2009, passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
      in Special Appeal No.230 of 2009. By the aforesaid order, the intra–
      Court Appeal filed by the Appellants is dismissed confirming the order
F     of the learned Single Judge allowing the writ petition filed by the
      respondent.
            2. The respondent herein was working as Head Constable in the
      Railway Protection Force. In the disciplinary inquiry initiated against
      him, he was charged for collusion with main accused in the incident
G     involving theft of more than Rs.1 Crore of Non-Judicial Stamp Papers.
      The competent Authority, stating that it was not reasonably practicable
      to hold an inquiry, has passed order dated 22.10.1998, dismissing the
      respondent from service. The appeal and revision filed by him, ended in
      dismissal. When the said orders were questioned, the learned Single
      Judge allowed the writ petition by judgment and order dated 17.02.2009,
H
     UNION OF INDIA & ORS. v. RAM BAHADUR YADAV                               279
                [R. SUBHASH REDDY, J. ]

by setting aside the dismissal order with a direction for payment of all      A
pensionary benefits and 50% of back wages. The said order was passed
as the respondent–employee has attained the age of superannuation.
When the said order was challenged by way of intra–Court Appeal, the
same ended in dismissal. Hence, this Civil Appeal.
        3. We have heard Ms. Kiran Suri, learned Senior Counsel               B
appearing for the appellants and Sri S.R. Singh, learned Senior Counsel
appearing for the respondent.
        4. It is contended by learned Senior Counsel for the appellants
that Rule 161 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 (hereinafter,
referred to as ‘RPF Rules’) empower the authorities to dispense with
inquiry, where the competent Authority is of the view that it is not          C
reasonably practicable to hold an inquiry. It is contended that having
regard to nature of allegations, as the delinquent employee has threatened
the witnesses who were not willing to participate in the inquiry, the
Authorities have invoked Rule 161 and passed orders. It is further
submitted that even if the order of dismissal does not contain reasons, it    D
is sufficient if the file discloses recording of reasons before passing the
order. Against the order allowing the writ petition, though the Special
Appeal was filed before the Division Bench, the High Court has not
considered various grounds raised by the appellants and erroneously
confirmed the order of the learned Single Judge. Lastly, it is contended
that in any event, the High Court has committed error in ordering payment     E
of 50% of back-wages.
        5. In support of the order of dismissal, learned Senior Counsel has
placed reliance on the judgment of this Court in the Case of Sahadeo
Singh & Others v. Union Of India & Others1. Against grant of back
wages, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants has relied         F
on the judgment of this Court in the case of Tarsem Singh v. State Of
Punjab & Others2. It is submitted that as the allegations made against
the respondent, are serious, no back wages were to be granted in his
favour. Reliance is placed on the judgment of this Court in the case of
Deepali Gundu Surwase v. Kranti Junior Adhyapak Mahavidyalaya
                                                                              G
(D.Ed.) & Others3 and also in the case of Commissioner of Police,
Delhi & Others v. Jai Bhagwan4 in support of her argument.
1
  2003 (9) SCC 75
2
  2006 (13) SCC 581
3
  2013 (10) SCC 324
4
  2011 (6) SCC 376                                                            H
280                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                        [2021] 11 S.C.R.


A            6. On the other hand, Sri S.R. Singh, learned Senior Counsel
      appearing for the respondent has drawn our attention to Rule 161 of the
      RPF Rules and submitted that no reasons are recorded for passing such
      order by invoking the said rule. It is submitted that the very rule requires
      recording of reasons, order passed without recording any reason cannot
      stand to legal scrutiny. Further, it is contended that the allegation against
B
      the respondent that he conspired with the other Head Constable in
      commission of theft of Non-Judicial Stamp Papers, is vague and is no
      ground at all, to dispense with the inquiry. It is submitted that conduct of
      inquiry before any punishment, is a normal rule and Rule 161 of the RPF
      Rules can be invoked only in exceptional cases, but not in a routine
C     manner. It is submitted that when the Rule itself mandates recording of
      reasons, the argument of the other side that it is sufficient if file contains
      reasons, is no ground to sustain the order. Learned Senior Counsel
      appearing for the respondent has placed reliance on the judgment of this
      Court in the case of Jaswant Singh v. State of Punjab & Others5 to
      support the view taken by the High Court.
D
            7. We have heard learned Senior Counsel for the parties and
      perused the material on record.
             8. The disciplinary proceeding against the respondent is governed
      by the RPF Rules, 1987. The regular inquiry against a member of Force,
E     is governed by Rules 132, 148 and 153 of the RPF Rules. The respondent
      was only a Head Constable at the relevant point of time. Allegation
      against him is that he conspired and colluded with another Head Constable
      by name Mr. Jai Veer Singh in commission of theft of Non-Judicial Stamp
      Papers. The alleged incident was on 17th/18th September 1998, and order
      of dismissal was passed against the respondent on 22nd October, 1998
F     by dispensing with inquiry by invoking Rule 161 of the RPF Rules. Rule
      161 of the RPF Rules itself indicates special procedure in certain cases.
      The relevant portion of Rule 161 of RPF Rules, reads as under:
               “161. Special Procedure in certain cases:

G              Notwithstanding anything contained anywhere in these rules-
               (i) where any punishment is imposed on an enrolled member
               of the Force on the ground of conduct which has led to his
               conviction on a criminal charge; or

      5
H         1991 (1) SCC 362
     UNION OF INDIA & ORS. v. RAM BAHADUR YADAV                                 281
                [R. SUBHASH REDDY, J. ]

      (ii) where the authority competent to impose the punishment               A
      is satisfied for reasons to be recorded by it in writing that it is
      not reasonably practicable to hold an inquiry in the manner
      provided in these rules;
      (iii) where the President is satisfied that in the interest of
      security of State and the maintenance of integrity in the Force,          B
      it is not expedient to hold any inquiry in the manner provided
      in these rules;
      the authority competent to impose the punishment may consider
      the circumstances of the case and make such orders thereon
      as it deems fit.”                                                         C
        9. From a reading of the above said Rule, it is clear that to pass an
order as disciplinary measure, by adopting special procedure in certain
cases, Rule 161 itself mandates recording of reasons. The normal rule
for conducting an inquiry is governed by Rules 132, 148 and 153 of the
RPF Rules. If the Authorities invoke special procedure, unless they record      D
reasons, as contemplated in the Rule itself, no order could have been
passed by invoking Rule 161. At no point of time, appellants have produced
file to show that any reasons are recorded in such file also. It is a settled
legal position that when Rules contemplate method and manner to adopt
special procedure, it is mandatory on the part of the authorities to exercise
such power by adhering to the Rule strictly. Dismissal of a regular             E
member of Force, is a drastic measure. Rule 161, which prescribes
dispensing with an inquiry and to pass order against a member of Force,
cannot be invoked in a routine and mechanical manner, unless there are
compelling and valid reasons. The dismissal order dated 22.10.1998 does
not indicate any reason for dispensing with inquiry except stating that         F
the respondent had colluded with the other Head Constable for theft of
Non Judicial Stamp Papers. By merely repeating the language of the
Rule in the order of dismissal, will not make the order valid one, unless
valid and sufficient reasons are recorded to dispense with the inquiry.
When the Rule mandates recording of reasons, the very order should
disclose the reasons for dispensing with the inquiry. The argument of           G
learned Senior Counsel for the appellants that if file contains reasons,
same is sufficient to maintain the order, deserves rejection. When inquiry
is not conducted, member of the Force is entitled to know the reasons
for dispensing with inquiry before passing any order as a disciplinary
measure. The respondent was only a Head Constable during the relevant           H
282             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                          [2021] 11 S.C.R.


A     point of time and he was not in powerful position, so as to say that he
      would have influenced or threatened the witnesses, had the inquiry was
      conducted. The very fact that they have conducted confidential inquiry,
      falsifies the stand of the appellants that it was not reasonably practicable
      to hold an inquiry. The words ‘not reasonably practicable’ as used in the
      Rule, are to be understood in a manner that in a given situation, ordinary
B
      and prudent man should come to conclusion that in such circumstances,
      it is not practicable. In the present case, there appears no valid reason to
      dispense with inquiry and to invoke Rule 161 of the Rules. We are in
      agreement with the view taken by the High Court. In the case of Sahadeo
      Singh & Others v. Union of India & Others1, this Court has held that
C     in the facts and circumstances of the said case, it was not reasonably
      practicable to hold a fair inquiry, as such, it was held to be justifiable on
      the facts of the case. Whether it is practicable or not to hold an inquiry,
      is a matter to be considered with reference to the facts of each case and
      nature of charge, etc.
D             10. In the judgment in the case of Tarsem Singh v. State of Punjab
      & Others2, this Court has categorically held that when the Authority is
      of the opinion that it is not reasonably practicable to hold inquiry, such
      finding shall be recorded on the subjective satisfaction by the authority,
      and same must be based on the objective criteria. In the aforesaid case,
      it is further held that reasons for dispensing with the inquiry must be
E     supported by material.
             11. With regard to plea of the appellants for grant of back wages,
      in the case of Tarsem Singh2, this Court has held that payment of
      back-wages would depend on result of the inquiry. In the present case
      on hand, by the time, the order came to be passed by the learned Single
F     Judge, the respondent had retired from service on attaining the age of
      superannuation. In normal course, we would have permitted to hold
      inquiry, but keeping in mind that the respondent had retired from service
      even before the judgment was rendered by the learned Single Judge, we
      are not inclined to do so at this stage. Though, it is alleged that the
G     respondent had conspired with the main accused for commission of theft
      of Non-Judicial Stamp Papers nearly worth of Rs.1 Crore, but not even
      a police complaint was filed for reasons best known to the appellants.
      Opposing the award of back wages, learned Senior Counsel for the
      appellants has placed reliance on the judgment of this Court in the case
      of Deepali Gundu Surwase3. Grant of back wages depends on facts
H
        UNION OF INDIA & ORS. v. RAM BAHADUR YADAV                             283
                   [R. SUBHASH REDDY, J. ]

and circumstances of each case. In the aforesaid case, while dealing           A
with grant of back-wages, this Court has held that in the case of wrongful
termination of service, reinstatement with continuity of service and back-
wages is normal rule and the adjudicating authority to take into
consideration the length of service of the employee, nature of misconduct,
financial condition of the employer and similar other factors. Coming to
                                                                               B
the case on hand, the respondent was not given any opportunity to defend
his case at all. It is clearly well settled that any amount of suspicion
cannot be equated to proof. Keeping in mind ratio in the judgment of this
Court in the case of Deepali Gundu Surwase3, we are of the considered
opinion that grant of 50% of back-wages is just and fair in the facts and
circumstances of the case. The judgment relied on by the learned Senior        C
Counsel for the appellants would not, in any way, support their case.
      12. On the other hand, in the case of M/s. Hindustan Tin Works
Pvt. Limited v. The Employees of M/s. Hindustan Tin Works Private
Limited & others6, this Court has held that reinstatement with back-
wages, fully or partially, is a matter of discretion of the Tribunal.          D
      13. In the facts of the present case, we are of the view that the
High Court has correctly granted 50% of the back wages to the
respondent.
       14. For the aforesaid reasons, we do not find any good ground to
interfere with the impugned order passed by the High Court. Accordingly,       E
this Civil Appeal is dismissed, with no order as to costs.


Nidhi Jain                                                 Appeal dismissed.

                                                                               F




                                                                               G




6
    (1979) 2 SCC 80                                                            H