J.K. Aggarwal Vs. Haryana Seeds Development Corporation Ltd. & Ors [1990] INSC 269 (5 September 1990)
Venkatachalliah, M.N. (J) Venkatachalliah, M.N. (J) Saikia, K.N. (J)
CITATION: 1991 AIR 1221 1990 SCR Supl. (3) 13 1991 SCC (2) 283 JT 1991 (5) 191 1991 SCALE (1)488
ACT:
Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1952-Rule 7(5)--Charges likely to result in dismissal of delinquent Government servant in inquiry--Representation by counsel whether permitted in the disciplinary proceeding.
Civil Service--Disciplinary proceeding--Presenting Officer trained in law--Denial of representation by counsel to delinquent Government servant--Violates natural justice.
Words and Phrases--`Legal Adviser', 'Lawyer'--Construction of.
HEAD NOTE:
A disciplinary inquiry was initiated against the appel- lant, who was the Company Secretary of the Corporation on certain charges which if established might lead to his dismissal from service.
Inquiry-Authority, rejected the appellant's prayer made at the initial stage of the inquiry for permission to engage the services of a lawyer.
Before the High Court, appellant challenged the inquiry proceedings on grounds of denial of natural justice.
The High Court dismissed the Writ-Petition in-limine against which this appeal was filed.
Allowing the appeal, this Court,
HELD: 1. The right of representation by a lawyer may not in all cases be held to be a part of natural justice. No general principle valid in all cases can be enunciated.
[15C-D] In the present case, the matter is guided by the Provi- sions of Rule 7(5) of the Civil Services (Punishment & Appeal) Rules, 1952. [17C] 14 The Rule itself recognises that where the charges are so serious as to entail a dismissal from service, the inquiry- authority may permit the services of a lawyer. This rule vests a discretion. In the matter on exercise of this dis- cretion one of the relevant factors is whether there is likelihood of the combat being unequal entailing a miscar- riage or failure of justice and a denial of a real and reasonable opportunity for defence by reason of the appel- lant being pitted against a presenting officer, who is trained in law. [17G-H, 18A] In the inquiry, the Respondent-Corporation was repre- sented by its Personnel and Administration Manager, who is stated to be a man of law. Moreover, appellant, it is claimed, has had no legal background. The refusal of the service of a lawyer, in the facts of this case, results in denim of natural justice. [17G, 18G] Pett v. Grehound Raling Association Ltd., [1969] 1 QB 125; Pett's case No. 2, 1970(1) QB 46: Enderby Town Football Club Ltd. v. Football Association Ltd., [1971] Chancery Div. 591; C.L. Subrahmaniam v. Collector of Customs, Cochin, [1972] 3 SCR 485, referred.
Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Dilip Kumar, [1983] 1 SCR 828, followed.
2. Legal Adviser and a lawyer are for this purpose somewhat liberally construed and must include "whoever assists or advises on facts and in law must he deemed to he in the position of a legal adviser." [18A-B]
