IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH LPA No.821 of 2010 Date of decision : 18.11.2010 District Red Cross Society, Narnaul and another … Appellants Versus Vinod Kumar and another …Respondents Coram: Hon’ble Mr.Justice M.M.Kumar Hon’ble Ms.Justice Ritu Bahri Present: Mr.S.K.Yadav, Advocate for the appellants. 1. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 2. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? M.M.Kumar, J. The instant appeal by the Red Cross Society under Clause X of the Letters Patent is directed against order dated 8.4.2010 rendered by learned Single Judge holding that without complying with the principles of natural justice and without granting opportunity of hearing to the writ petitioner- respondent, his services could not have been terminated. The writ petitioner- respondent had rendered nine years of service and without any enquiry, his services were terminated on 28.5.2009. The learned Single Judge has awarded 50% of the amount of back wages which would be for a period from May, 2009 to the date of reinstatement by virtue of order passed by the learned Single Judge i.e. 8.4.2010. Mr. S.K.Yadav learned counsel for the appellants, has argued that after passing of the direction by the learned Single Judge on 8.4.2010, an inquiry has been held and his services have been terminated in accordance with the finding recorded by the Inquiry Officer. He has however, urged that the award of 50% of back wages is on higher side particularly when the Head LPA No.821 of 2010 office is not sanctioning the finances for the writ petitioners/respondents as he did not have the requisite qualification. Having heard the learned counsel for the appellants, we are of the considered view that principles of natural justice were required to be followed by the appellants-Red Cross Society while terminating the service of an employee who had worked for nineteen years. We find that the learned Single Judge has adopted correct approach in setting aside the order of termination dated 28.5.2009. The award of back wages of 50% can also not be regarded on higher side. We wish to make it clear that we are not opining on the subsequent inquiry proceedings undertaken by the appellants. The inquiry proceedings would remain open to judicial review which may be adopted by writ petitioner/respondent. Dismissed. (M.M.Kumar ) Judge (Ritu Bahri) Judge 18.11.2010 sd 2