Constitution of India, 1950 (COI) — Article 226 — High Court's Power of Judicial Review — High Court’s dismissal of writ petition and review application for non-prosecution — Supreme Court held that long pendency of the matter and lack of inquiry on merits justified decision on merits (Paras: 2, 3)
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC) — Section 151 — Inherent Powers of Court — Restoration of writ petition dismissed for non-prosecution — Supreme Court exercised discretion considering long-standing nature of the case (Para: 3)
West Bengal Service (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1971 — Rule 175 and Rule 176(4) — Extraordinary Leave — Entitlement to Pension — Supreme Court held that once service is regularized by treating absence as extraordinary leave, it cannot be treated as a break in service — Denial of pension without inquiry deemed unjustified (Paras: 7, 8, 11, 12)
Supreme Court allowed the civil appeals, holding that once the service was regularized by treating absence as extraordinary leave, the period could not be treated as a break in service — directing the authorities to finalize pension within three months without arrears.
Subjects:
Pensionary Benefits, Extraordinary Leave, Departmental Inquiry, Judicial Review, Long Pendency, Regularization of Service, Dismissal for Non-Prosecution, Restoration of Writ Petition, Employee Rights, Government Service Rules
Nature of the Litigation: Civil Appeal arising from the dismissal of a writ petition and subsequent review application by the High Court of Calcutta for non-prosecution.
Relief Sought: Restoration of writ petition and grant of pensionary benefits.
Reason for Filing: Denial of pensionary benefits following the regularization of service without conducting a departmental inquiry despite the Tribunal’s directive.
Previous Decisions: High Court dismissed writ petition and review application for non-prosecution; Tribunal order directing inquiry was not complied with.
Issues:
a) Whether the appellant’s period of extraordinary leave can be treated as a break in service for denying pensionary benefits?
b) Whether the failure to conduct a departmental inquiry as directed by the Tribunal affected the appellant’s entitlement to pension?
Submissions/Arguments:
a) Appellant contended that the failure to conduct a departmental inquiry violated principles of natural justice.
b) Respondents argued the appellant’s long absence disqualified her from pensionary benefits.
Ratio: Denial of pensionary benefits must be based on established rules and due process; failure to conduct a departmental inquiry cannot justify withholding benefits (Paras: 11, 12)
Prashant Kumar Mishra, J:-
1. Leave granted.
2. These appeals arise from the judgment and orders dated 13.07.2023 passed in WPST No. 234 of 2015, 06.09.2023 in CAN No. 1 of 2023 in WPST No. 234 of 2015 and 21.12.2023 in RVW No. 275 of 2023 in CAN No. 1 of 2023 in WPST No. 234 of 2015, whereby the High Court has dismissed the writ petition as well as Review Application on account of non-prosecution and the application for recalling the order dated 06.09.2023 met the same fate as the advocate remained unable to assist the Court on merits.
3. Although, the writ petition was not adjudicated on merits and the prayer in these civil appeals is for restoration of writ petition, however, considering long pendency of the lis for about 25 years, we deem it appropriate to decide the issue on merits.
Factual matrix:
4. On 20.03.1986, the appellant was appointed and joined as L.D. Assistant in the Office of Block Development Officer, Jhargram. While she was posted in the Office of Sub-divisional Officer, Jhargram (Respondent No. 3), she remained absent from duty for 107 days and thereafter again from 29.06.1987 to 12.07.2007. She submitted a complaint on 17.02.1987 that she was restrained from signing the attendance register. However, on 15.06.1987 the respondent no. 3 issued a show cause notice to the appellant as to why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against her for her unauthorized absence.
The appellant submitted her reply and also wrote to the Secretary, Board of Revenue complaining about denial of joining. She preferred writ petition, which was later transferred to the State Administrative Tribunal, West Bengal and registered as T.A. No. 1843 of 1997. The Tribunal disposed of the matter on 24.11.2000 closing the proceedings on the ground that since no departmental proceedings have been initiated, there is nothing to be adjudicated. This order of the Tribunal was challenged before the High Court in WPCT No. 270 of 2001 in which the Tribunal's order was set aside, remitting the matter back to the Tribunal.
5. On remand, the Tribunal passed an order on 01.12.2003 directing the Collector, Midnapur (West) to cause a departmental proceeding in respect of the allegations that though she joined the office and signed the attendance register she was not allowed to perform her duties and that she was not paid salary for the month of May, 1987 onwards. It was further directed that she should be given an opportunity of hearing and appropriate order be passed in respect of the payment of salary of the appellant and in respect of allowing her to discharge her duties, within a period of four months.
6. The appellant challenged the second order of the Tribunal in Writ Petition No. 278 of 2004 which was disposed of directing the respondents/authorities to allow the appellant to resume her duties forthwith preferably within 48 hours from the date of communication and she must discharge her duties, if resumed, and if any salary remaining legitimately due and payable, the same shall be paid in terms of the order of the Tribunal. However, the respondents are not precluded from taking lawful action against the appellant, as may be advised.
7. On 19.05.2011, the appellant's unauthorized absence from 29.06.1987 to 12.07.2007 has been treated as extraordinary leave and service has been regularized as per Rule 175 and Rule 176 (4) of the West Bengal Service (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1971 which provides that a government employee on extraordinary leave is not entitled to any leave salary. Basing on this, the appellant was informed by respondent no. 3 on 07.06.2011 that you have been allowed to join back on 13.07.2007 and your pay has been refixed. However, she is not entitled for leave salary etc. during the period of absence.
8. The appellant again preferred O.A. No. 1347 of 2012 before the Tribunal for grant of pension and other retiral benefits. The main issue before the Tribunal was whether the appellant fulfilled the requisite criteria to be entitled to pension in terms of the relevant rules for the purpose. The Tribunal concluded that the extraordinary leave granted to her being not on any of the grounds listed under Rule 28A of the West Bengal Service (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1971, the period of extraordinary leave allowed to her cannot be considered as qualifying service to be entitled to pension/family pension as stipulated in G.O. NO. 201-F (Pen.) dated 25.02.2009, hence the order refusing pension is fully justified.
9. Challenging this order of the Tribunal, the appellant preferred writ petition which was dismissed for want of prosecution and subsequently her review application and restoration petition have also been dismissed.
10. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.
11. What is discernible from the record is that despite Tribunal's order dated 01.12.2003 directing the Collector to cause a departmental inquiry in respect of the appellant's allegations to the effect that though she joined the office and signed the attendance register she was not allowed to perform her duties and was not paid salary from May, 1987 onwards, no such inquiry was ever conducted by the respondents/authorities. Even though the order passed by the respondents/authorities on 19.05.2011 that her unauthorized absence is treated as extraordinary leave and her service is regularized was not challenged subsequently, the fact remains that the appellant has been condemned unheard without subjecting her to any departmental inquiry despite Tribunal's order.
Any observation by the Tribunal or the High Court in subsequent proceedings that the appellant failed to demonstrate that she was prevented from performing her duties would not enure to the benefit of the respondents for the simple reason that the said fact could have been established either for or against the appellant only in a duly constituted departmental inquiry. The respondents' failure to conduct an inquiry as per Tribunal's order cannot shift the burden on the appellant to prove that she was prevented from working.
Denial of pensionary benefits to an employee must emanate from any rule enabling the government for such denial. When the services have been regularized by treating the same as extraordinary leave the same cannot be treated as unauthorised leave for denying the pensionary benefits. The respondents could have denied the pension to the appellant by proving that she was unauthorizedly absent for the subject period and not by refusing to hold an inquiry against her.
12. In our considered view, having once regularized her service during the period of absence by granting extraordinary leave, it cannot be held that the said period can be treated as break in service. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, we are of the considered view that the appellant would be entitled for pension. We, accordingly, direct the respondents/authorities to finalise the appellant's pension within a period of three months. However, the appellant shall not be entitled for any arrears.
13. The Civil Appeals are disposed of in the above terms.
Case Title: JAYA BHATTACHARYA VERSUS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL & ORS.
Citation: 2025 LawText (SC) (2) 252
Case Number: CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). OF 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No(s). 8850-8852 of 2024)
Date of Decision: 2025-02-25
