Rajasthan High Court - Jodhpur

Arpan Choudhary vs State Of Rajasthan ... on 4 May, 2023

Bench: Dinesh Mehta

[2023/RJJD/013525]

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 16982/2021

Arpan Choudhary S/o Sh. Amar Chand Choudhary, Aged About 40 Years, Resident Of 116, Jato Ka Bas, Village Jhalara, Tehsil Parbatsar, Dist. Nagaur.

----Petitioner Versus

1. State Of Rajasthan, Through The Secretary, Department Of Home Affairs, Government Of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

2. The Director General Of Police, Headquarter Jaipur, Jaipur.

                                                                 ----Respondents


For Petitioner(s)         :     Mr. Sushil Solanki
For Respondent(s)         :     Mr. Anil Bissa



                     JUSTICE DINESH MEHTA

                                     Order

04/05/2023

1. By way of present writ petition, while challenging the

disciplinary proceedings initiated by the respondents vide notice

dated 18.11.2021, the petitioner has alternatively prayed that the

proceedings in furtherance thereto be kept in abeyance until

criminal proceedings pending against him pursuant to the FIR

No.58/2018 culminates.

2. The facts apropos the relief claimed are, that the petitioner

was trapped by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, while

accepting/taking bribe.

3. After completion of the investigation, a charge-sheet came to

be filed in the competent Court, whereafter, the disciplinary

authority proceeded to launch a departmental inquiry against the

[2023/RJJD/013525] (2 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

petitioner by way of serving a notice dated 18.11.2021, along with

memorandum of charges and statement of allegation.

4. The charges framed against the petitioner in the inquiry under

challenge read thus:-

"vki Jh vi.kZ pkSèkjh iqfyl fujh{kd fnukad 18-03-2015 ls 30-09-2015 ,oa fnukad 15-10-2016 ls 22-12-2017 rd iqfyl Fkkuk :iokl ij Fkkukfèkdkjh ds in ij inLFkkfir FksA mä inLFkkiu ds nkSjku vki }kjk vius inh; drZO;ksa ds çfr xEHkhj vfu;ferrk,sa cjrus ij vkidks fuEu vkjksiksa ls vfèkjksfir fd;k tkrk gS& vkjksi la[;k 01%& ,-lh-ch- }kjk miyCèk djokbZ xbZ VªkalfØIV ds vuqlkj fnukad 20-11-2017 dks vki }kjkvius eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7728000251 ls le; 21%29%36 ij fdlh egkohj uked O;fä ds eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 9812329773 ij okrkZyki ds nkSjku vki }kjk egkohj uked O;fä ds lkFk voSèk iRFkj [kuu] yht dh ikVZuj'khi vkfn ds ckjs esa okrkZ dh xbZ gSA fnuk¡d 21-11-2017 le; 14%47%34 ij mä egkohj uked O;fä ls dh xbZ okrkZyki esa vki }kjk cM+h jde ds ysunsu ,oa [kjhn cspku djus dh ckrphr ntZ gSA vki }kjk fnuk¡d 09-12-2017 dks le; 13%38%30 ij fot; uked O;fä ls mlds eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 9887167215 ij dh xbZ okrkZyki esa voSèk iRFkj [kku o muds futh O;olk; ds ckjs esa okrkZ dh xbZ gSA vki }kjk fnuk¡d 25-11-2017 le; 09%28%45 ij vius eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7728000251 ls eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7014248401 ij fdlh vU; dkfeZd o c`tHkku ls okrkZ esa Fkkuk iqfyl }kjk lafnXèk pksj idM+s tkus ij fu;ekuqlkj dkuwuh dk;Zokgh fd;s tkus ds LFkku ij vius futh ykHk gsrq ? kqek&fQjkdj dk;Zokgh djuk] ysunsu djuk vkfn okrkZ dh gSA blh okrkZyki esa vki }kjk rkjk uked dkfeZd ls dh xbZ okrkZ esa èkkjk 307 Hkk-n-l- lEcUèkh ekeys esa fu;ekuqlkj dk;Zokgh djus ds LFkku ij vius fglkc ls dk;Zokgh djus rFkk ,d ukckfyx eqyfte dks çdj.k ls fudkyus ds lacaèk esa funZs'k fn;s tk jgs gSaA mijksä okrkZykiksa ls ;g Li"V gS fd vki yksd lsod gksrs gq;s futh O;kikj esa fyIr jgs gS ,oa vki }kjk mä inLFkkiu ds nkSjku fofèkd dk;Zokgh ugha dj voSèk lank; çkIr djus ds vk'k;

ls vfofèkd dk;Zokfg;ka dh tk jgh FkhA vkidk mä --R; vius inh; drZO;ksa ds foijhr dk;Z djus LosPNkpkfjrk cjrus ,oa fu;e 3¼1½¼i½ jktLFkku flfoy lsok vkoj.k fu;e 1971 ds mYya?ku dk ifjpk;d gS] tks foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gS] tSlk fd vfHkdFkuksa ds fooj.k la[;k 01 esa vafdr gSA

vkjksi la[;k 02%& ,-lh-ch- }kjk miyCèk djokbZ xbZ VªkalfØIV ds vuqlkj fnuk¡d 22-11-2017 le; 21-18-17 ij vki }kjk vius eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7728000251 ls fd'kuiky uked O;fä ls eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 9649377600 ij dh xbZ okrkZ esa egkfujh{kd

[2023/RJJD/013525] (3 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

iqfyl ds fy;s fuEu Lrj ds 'kCnksa dk bLrseky fd;k x;k gSA mä okrkZyki esa vki ,oa fd'kuiky }kjk jktusrkvksa dh ckr ugha ekuus ij egkfujh{kd iqfyl dk VªkalQj djokus ds lacaèk esa okrkZyki dh xbZ gSA blh çdkj mä okrkZyki esa vki }kjk lEHkor;k Jh eqds'k dqekj iqfyl fujh{kd ds fy;s v'kksHkuh; fVIi.kh dh gSA bl çdkj vki }kjk iqfyl tSls vuq'kkflr foHkkx dk lnL; gksus ds i'pkr Hkh mPpkfèkdkfj;ksa ds fy;s v'kksHkuh; ,oa ve;kZfnr Hkk"kk rFkk vius led{k iqfyl vfèkdkjh ds fy;s Hkh vkifÙktud Hkk"kk dk ç;ksx fd;k x;k gSA vkidk mä --R; inh; xjhek ds foijhr vkpj.k djus ,oa fu;e 3¼1½¼ii½ jktLFkku flfoy lsok vkpj.k fu;e 1971 ds mYya?ku djus dk ifjpk;d gS] tks foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gSa] tSlk fd vfHkdFkuksa ds fooj.k la[;k 02 esa vafdr gSA

vkjksi la[;k 03%& ,-lh-ch- }kjk miyCèk djokbZ xbZ VªkalfØIV ds vuqlkj fnuk¡d 14-12-2017 dks le; 08%36%30 ij vkids LFkkukUrj.k ds i'pkr eksgu dkfu- ds eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 9414826079 ij ;'kiky ls iSls ysus] o lSØsVªh ls N% gtkj :i;s ysus ds lacaèk esa okrkZyki dh xbZ gSA blh fnu le; 10%21%36 ij vki }kjk fdlh èkeZs'k uked O;fä ds eksckbZy uEcj 9928363794 ij dh xbZ okrkZyki esa igkM+h esa ,d Øs'kj esa 35 yk[k :i;s dk baosLVesUV djus ,oa ekfld caèkh ds lacaèk esa okrkZyki dh xbZ gSA vki }kjk vius eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7728000251 ls fnukad 14- 12-2017 le; 13-45-16 ij fdlh ljiap ds eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 9982161925 ij fdlh ekeys esa ,Q-vkj- yxkus ds uke ij voSèk lank; gsrq feBkbZ tSls lkadsfrd 'kCn dk bLrseky djuk rFkk blds rqjUr i'pkr blh fnu le; 13%46%39 ij dIrku uked dkfu- ls iwoZ esa ljiap ls dh xbZ okrkZyki ds lacaèk esa voSèk lank; çkIr djus gsrq fn'kk funZs'k nsus gsrq okrkZyki dh xbZ gSA vkidk mä --R; futh ykHk gsrq laxfBr vijkèk dks çJ; nsuk o vijkfèk;ksa ls lkaBxkaB djus dk ifjpk;d gS] tks fd foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gS] tSlk fd vfHkdFkuksa ds fooj.k la[;k 03 esa vafdr gSA

vkjksi la[;k 04%& vki }kjk vius LFkkukUrj.k ds i'pkr fnuk¡d 10-12-2017 dks 13-41-56 ij jktflag uked O;fä ls viuh voSèk xfrfofèk;ksa dks tkjh j[kus ds fy, iwoZ dh Hkkafr u;s Fkkukfèkdkjh ls feydj èkujkf'k nsus ds lacaèk esa fnukad 18-12-2018 dks le; 19-15-03 ij çèkku uked O;fä ls vkxkeh Fkkukfèkdkjh o f}rh; vfèkdkjh vkfn dks voSèk xfrfofèk;ksa dks lapkfyr fd;s tkus gsrq nh tkus okyh ekfld cèkh ds lEcaèk esa] fnuk¡d 21-12-2017 dk le; 19-08-32 ij dIrku uked O;fä ls eksgu o fjUdw }kjk olwyh dk lkjk dk;Z viuh gksf'k;kjh ls lgh&lgh djuk] tkfrxr lehdj.k lkèk dj vko';drk iM+us ij ifjfLFkfr dks gS.My djus ds lacaèk esa ,oa fnuk¡d 03-01-2018 dks le; 10-02- 11 ij vki }kjk voSèk olwyh dk Lo;a }kjk LFkkfir usVodZ ckcr

[2023/RJJD/013525] (4 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

,oa fdlh ljiap dks cdk;k iSls dh ;kn fnykus ds lacaèk esa okrkZyki dh xbZ gSA mä okrkZyki ls Li"V gS fd vki }kjk iqfyl Fkkuk :iokl ls LFkkukUrj.k ds i'pkr Hkh Fkkuk :iokl ls lacafèkr vfofèkd xfrfofèk;ksa esa gLr{ksi dj voSèk lank; çkIr fd;k tk jgk FkkA vkidk mä --R; vius inh; drZO;ksa ds çfr foijhr vkpj.k djus dk ifjpk;d gS] tks foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gS] tSlk fd vfHkdFkuksa ds fooj.k la[;k 04 esa vafdr gSA

vkjksi la[;k 05%& vkidk Fkkuk :iokl ls vU;= LFkkukUrj.k gksus ij vkxkeh Fkkukfèkdkjh Jh eqds'k pan cykbZ iqfyl fujh{kd }kjk fnukad 02-12-2017 dks Fkkukfèkdkjh :iokl ds in ij mifLFkfr ns nh xbZ FkhA uohu Fkkukfèkdkjh dh mifLFkfr ds i'pkr vkidk nkf;Ro Fkk] fd vki vfoyEc Fkkuk :iokl ls vkxkeh dk;ZLFky ij mifLFkfr nsrsA ijUrq vki fnukad 02-12- 2017 ds i'pkr Hkh Fkkuk :iokl ij mifLFkr jgsA bl rF; dh iqf"V ,-lh-ch- }kjk miyCèk djokbZ xbZ vkids eksckbZy Qksu uEcj 7728000251 dh VªkalfØIV fnuk¡d 19-12-2017 le; 20%28%27 ij dh xbZ okrkZyki ls gksrh gSA mä okrkZyki esa vki }kjk Jh eqds'k pan cykbZ iqfyl fujh{kd rRdkyhu Fkkukfèkdkjh :iokl ls Fkkuk :iokl ds fdlh vkijkfèkd çdj.k esa vuqlaèkku gsrq jokuxh djus ds lacaèk esa dgk tk jgk gSA vki }kjk vuqfpr ykHk çkIr djus rFkk Fkkuk :iokl {ks= ls voSèk lank; çkIr dj vfofèkd xfrfofèk;ka lapkfyr djokus gsrq nqjk'k; iwoZd Fkkuk :iokl ls jokuxh ugha yh xbZA vkidk mä --R; ?kksj vuq'kklughurk cjrus dk ifjpk;d gS] tks foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gS] tSlk fd vfHkdFkuksa ds fooj.k la[;k 05 esa vafdr gSA vkidk mä --R; inh; drZO;ksa ds çfr foijhr vkpj.k djus ,oa ?kksj vuq'kklughurk cjrus dk ifjpk;d gS] tks foHkkxh; fu;ekuqlkj n.Muh; gSA"

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the inquiry

in question is based upon the fact that the petitioner had been

apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and argued that the

respondent Department is not having any supportive material

evidence or witness who can depose or prove the allegation that

the petitioner had received bribe.

6. Learned counsel informs that the criminal case has not

proceeded substantially and the trial will take some time.

[2023/RJJD/013525] (5 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

7. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the issue

involved in the present writ petition is squarely covered by the

judgment of this Court dated 13.09.2021 rendered in case of

Bhagirath Ram Vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors. : S.B. Civil Writ

Petition No. 2682/2021.

8. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents argued that

the charges against the petitioner are different, may be reference

of the proceedings of Anti-corruption Bureau has been made.

9. Having perused the memorandum of charges served upon

the petitioner and after considering the law laid down in the case

of Bhagirath Ram (supra), this Court is of the view that the inquiry

against the petitioner deserves to be kept on hold. Because, the

charges levelled against the petitioner (except charge No.5)

revolves aroung the raid by Anti-corruption Bureau.

10. The fact that the petitioner had demanded and accepted the

monthly money from the contractors as bribe is a complicated

question of fact to be determined by the enquiry officer,

particularly when none of the police personnel were present at the

time of the incident. Necessary evidence like voice recording/the

currency notes used/recovered in the trap and all other evidence

are also not in possession of the respondents - they have

practically no access to the incriminating evidence.

11. By way of order dated 08.12.2021, this Court has stayed the

disciplinary proceedings, which were set in motion on 18.11.2021.

The case against the petitioner in the competent court is still

pending.

12. The sword of damocles cannot be kept hanging over the

petitioner's head over indefinite period. Even if the proceedings

[2023/RJJD/013525] (6 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

are to be stayed, they cannot be stayed ad infinitum or infinitely.

In order to strike a balance between the petitioner's rights of

defence and zeal to protract the inquiry and State's anxiety and

concern to conclude the inquiry expeditiously and in order to ward

off undue haste or inordinate delay, the writ petition is disposed of

with the following directions and timeline:-

(i) The disciplinary proceedings shall remain stayed for a

period of three years from today.

(ii) Petitioner will be required to file his statement in

defence/reply along with the list of witnesses (if any)

within a period of 30 days from today. Such period is

extendable by not more than 30 days for reasons to be

recorded by the disciplinary authority, if facts and

circumstances so warrant.

(iii) After completion of three years, the disciplinary

authority shall resume the proceedings by giving at

least a 15 days' notice to the delinquent/employee of

his intentions so to do and to inform about the status of

criminal case.

(iv) It will be required of the petitioner - employee to place

relevant material, including copies of the order-sheets/

proceedings of the Court, stage of the trial, list of

witnesses and number of witnesses examined by that

time and any other relevant information.

(v) The petitioner will be free to make a request to

adjourn the proceedings further, while indicating reasons

and grounds for the same.

[2023/RJJD/013525] (7 of 7) [CW-16982/2021]

(vi) The disciplinary authority in such event, shall

independently apply its mind on the material placed

and progression of the criminal case and decide as to

whether the enquiry is required to be stayed any

further.

(vii) In case, the disciplinary authority is of the view that

the enquiry is required to be kept on hold any further,

it will keep the same in abeyance for a further period,

not more than two years.

(viii) On completion of such period (total five years), the

disciplinary authority shall take up the proceedings by

appointing an inquiry officer under intimation to the

petitioner, who shall, then, proceed in accordance with

law, while following procedure provided under Rule 16

of the CCA Rules of 1958.

(ix) Needless to observe that if criminal case itself is

decided either way, during the aforesaid period of

three/five years, the disciplinary authority shall be free

to resume the inquiry, of course while observing

principles of natural justice.