Allahabad High Court at Lucknow has allowed a Writ Petition filed by a Head Constable on the issue of Preliminary Inquiry.
The Court has held that evidence recorded during the preliminary enquiry cannot be used in regular departmental enquiry.
Brief Facts:
In the instant case, a complaint of bigamy was file against the petitioner. Petitioner was working as a Head Constable in the Police Force.
Hon’ble Justice Manish Kumar of the Allahabad High Court held that:
Dismissal order against the petitioner should be quashed, as there was not enough evidence to prove the charges of bigamy
Preliminary Inquiry by SSP Raebareli
During the inquiry, the complainant Smt Archana said:
she was having a love affair with the petitioner and they are married and have a son together.
Subsequently, a charge sheet was issued against the petitioner under Rule 41 of the Uttar Pradesh Police Officers of the Subordinate Rank (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1991.
Counsel submits there is a lack of evidence.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there was not enough proof against the petitioner, and
the whole case was based on the statement of the complainant and the preliminary enquiry report.
The attention of the Court was drawn to the point that during the Departmental enquiry, the complainant changed her statement and
stated that she did not marry the petitioner and they don’t have a child together.
Contentions raised by the respondent.
Counsel for the respondent submitted that
the complainant had made a statement to the Circle Officer that she had an affair with the petitioner, and
that is why action against the petitioner warranted.
Not enough evidence to prove the charges of bigamy opines Allahabad High Court.
After going through all the material facts, the Allahabad High Court at Lucknow observed that
there was not enough evidence to prove the charges of bigamy.
Hon’ble Justice Manish Kumar relied on the Supreme Court’s Judgement in
Narayan Dattatraya Ramteerthakhar Vs. State of Maharashtra & others reported in AIR 1997 SC 2148
where it was held that the preliminary enquiry has no bearing with the enquiry conducted after issuance of the charge sheet.
The judgment further says that a preliminary enquiry is to ascertain
if there was some material to prove the allegations against an employee, and its finding cannot be considered wholly admissible.
Dismissal Order was bad in the eyes of the law, rules Allahabad High Court.
Hon’ble Court held that the enquiry officer has erred by relying on the statement of the complainant.
So, dismissal from service of the petitioner is illegal.
In view of above, the Court quashed the dismissal order, and the petitioner as been reinstated in the service.
Case Details:-
Title: Leeladhar vs State of U.P & Ors
Case No. SERVICE SINGLE No. – 17321 of 2018
Date of Order:
Coram: Hon’ble Justice Manish Kumar
Counsel for Petitioner:- Avinash Tiwari
Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C
