1 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.09.2011 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.MANIKUMAR W.P.(MD).No.10434 of 2011 and M.P.(MD)Nos. 1 to 3 of 2011 P.Malayappan : Petitioner Vs. 1.The Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Collectorate Complex, Dindigul Region. 2.The Special Officer, A 303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul. : Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issue of a Writ of Certiorarifed Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the charge memo dated 20.04.2011 issued by the second respondent and quash the same and direct the second respondent to pay the subsistence allowance eligible to the petitioner under the Tamil Nadu Payment of Subsistence Allowance Act, 1981 for the period of suspension. For Petitioner : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam For Respondents : Mr.B.Pugalendhi Special Government Pleader O R D E R *********** Pleadings and material on record disclose that allegations have been levelled against the petitioner in the matter of grant and closure of loans and an enquiry under Section 81 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act had been ordered. The petitioner was placed under suspension on 30.06.2010 and that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated by formulating a charge memorandum on 20.04.2011. In response to the same, the petitioner made a representation, stating that the loans were issued in the year 1999-2000 and that after lapse of ten years, he could not re-collect the nature of loan issued to the members and, therefore, sought for certain documents. Without considering the representation, the Special Officer of A303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein issued a notice of enquiry dated 25.05.2011, alleging that the request of the petitioner for perusal of materials is only to protract the enquiry and that the request would not be considered. The date of enquiry was fixed on 08.06.2011. The petitioner again submitted a letter dated 23.05.2011, reiterating the same stand. It is the allegation of the petitioner that the Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Dindigul Region, the first respondent herein, in the meeting of Secretaries of the Co-operative Societies, has directed the Special Officer to pursue with the domestic enquiry at once and terminate the petitioner from service. This was also pointed out in the said representation of the https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2 petitioner dated 23.05.2011. 2. As the enquiry officer continued with the proceedings, the petitioner was constrained to prefer a Writ Petition in W.P.(MD)No.6548 of 2011, for a Mandamus, directing the Special Officer, A 303, Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein, to proceed with the domestic enquiry, after permitting the petitioner to peruse the records and to submit his explanation, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 23.05.2011 stated supra. The above Writ Petition was disposed of on 29.06.2011 by this Court, with a direction to the second respondent to commence the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order made in the above Writ Petition. It is further directed that the petitioner should co-operate with the enquiry and the second respondent equally has to furnish all the documents to the petitioner. 3. It is the case of the petitioner that pursuant to the orders passed by this Court, a representation dated 07.07.2011 has been made to furnish certain copies of documents, so as to enable the petitioner to submit his explanation. On receipt of the representation, the second respondent, vide reply dated 24.08.2011, has taken a new stand that while placing the petitioner under suspension on 30.06.2011, the petitioner had handed over only jewel locker key and did not hand over the other documents by enlisting the same. However, the second respondent admitted to issue certain copies of the records seized during the enquiry under Section 81 and that photocopies of some records were also served. The second respondent, in his reply, further stated that the salary certificates, loan application, undertakings given by the mills under Section 48 of the Act, loan disbursement register are not available in the society and that the petitioner did not hand over the same by enlisting the same and further, directed the petitioner to submit his explanation on receipt of the above said documents, within seven days. On receipt of the said reply, the petitioner sent a further reply dated 06.09.2011 to the second respondent explaining that the documents sent to him are not relevant to the charges and, therefore, he must be served with the documents relating to the charges levelled against him and to permit him to submit his explanation, after perusal of the documents. However, unmindful of the representation dated 06.09.2011, the second respondent has fixed the enquiry on 21.09.2011. At this juncture, the petitioner has, once again, approached this Court by way of filing the present Writ Petition for the relief as stated supra. 4. Alleging violation and mala fide on the part of the respondents, Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the respondents have already pre-determined to terminate the petitioner from his services and, therefore, denied copies of the documents sought for to submit his explanation. He further submitted that if the documents, which form the basis for the formulation of the charges, are not available with the respondents, then the very initiation of the disciplinary proceedings are liable to be set aside. 5. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner made submissions to the effect that the petitioner has not committed any acts of misconduct, https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 3 as alleged, this Court is not inclined to advert to the same, as the petitioner cannot convert this Court into that of an enquiry officer, to enquire into various charges levelled against him. 6. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the documents furnished do not relate to the charges levelled against the petitioner and that they would not serve any useful purpose. In the abovesaid circumstances, he prayed to quash the impugned charge memorandum. 7. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record. 8. The charges levelled against the petitioner vide proceedings dated 20.04.2011 of the Special Officer of A303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein relate to grant of loans and closure of the same. Perusal of the charge memorandum shows that serious allegations have been levelled against the petitioner that by recording false entries, forgery and misusing the documents in his possession, the petitioner has caused loss to the society to the tune of Rs.90,50,069/- and in order to cover up the misappropriation, he has submitted a false record to the management of the society. Charges have also been levelled that the petitioner has retained certain important documents in his custody. The charges are extracted hereunder: " Fw;wr;rhl;L-1: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; mtUf;F eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;l flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghft[k;, mYtyf cj;jput [fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghft[k;, cWg;gpdh;fSf;F fld;fs; tHA;fg;glhj bghGJ 127 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F kj;jpafhyf; fldhf Efh;Bthh; fld; Rkhh; U.50,76,762/- tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;ahd gjpt[fs; bra;J mjd;Kyk; rA;f epjp U.50,76,762/I jd;trkpUe;j MtzA;fis KiwBflhff; ifahz;L Bghh;$hp gjpt[fs; bra;J fld; tHA;fpajhf rA;f eph;thfj;ija[k;, Tl;Lwt[j; Jiwiaa[k; jpl;lkpl;L Vkhw;wp Bkw;go fld;fs; tR{yhftpy;iy vd;W rA;f eph;thfj;jplBkh, ika tA;fp mYtyiua[k; Vkhw;wp ifbahg;gk; bgw;W Bkw;go fld;fis muR mwptpj;Js;s rYiffspd; fPH; bfhz;L tUtjw;F jpl;lkpl;L Kd;bkhHpt[ mDg;gpitj;Jk;, Bkw;go fld; bjhif kw;Wk; tl;oa[ld; Brh;j;J epYit U.90,50,069/- kjpg;gpw;F jpl;lkpl;L epjpapHg;g [ Vw;gLj;jpa[s;shh;. Bkw;go ifahliy kiwf;Fk; tifapy; rA;f eph;thfj;jpw;Fk;, Tl;Lwt[j; Jiwf;Fk; bgha;ahd mwpf;ifia bfhLj;Js;shh;. njd;Kyk; rA;fg; gzpahsh; bra;af;Tlhj braiyr; bra;J jdJ mjpfhuj;ij J&;gpuBahfk; bra;Js;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L 1f;fhd rhl;Li:u:- 14.09.1999k; Bjjp bray; mYtyuhy; eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;Ls;s flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspd;goa[k;, ehsJ Bjjp tiu gpd;gw;wg;gl;LtUk; Bkw;go flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspy; brayhsUf;F vd;W gpuj;jpBafkhf eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;Ls;s flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf bray;gl;Ls;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. Bkw;go flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspd;go cWg;gpdh;fSf;F fld; tHA;Fjy; bjhlh;ghf jkpH;ehL Tl;Lwt[ rA;fA;fspd; rl;lk; kw;Wk; tpjpfs; kw;Wk; rA;fj; JiztpjpfSf;F cl;gl;Lk;, Jiw kw;Wk; kj;jpa tA;fpapd; Rw;wwpf;iff;F cl;gl;Lk;, chpa rhd;Wfspd; mog;gilapy; cWg;gpdh; kw;Wk; itg;g[jhuh;fSf;F fld;fis mDkjpj;jy;, kw;Wk; itg;g[jhuh;fSf;F fhBrhiyia mDkjpj;jy;, kw;Wk; bjhlh;g [ila midj;J MtzA;fisa[k; jd; bghWg;gpy; itj;J ghJfhj;jy;, tA;fpapd; md;whl tutPdA;fSf;Fhpa urPJfspy; ifbaGj;jpLjy;, midj;J tutPdA;fisa[k; https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 4 rhpghh;j;jy; kw;Wk; gjpBtLfs;, g[j;jfA;fs;, gj;jpuk;, fhBrhiyg; g[j;jfA;fs;, kw;Wk; tA;fpapd; midj;J MtzA;fisa[k; jd; bghWg;gpy; itj;J ghJfhj;jy; Bghd;w bghWg;g[f;fSld; gzpg[hpe;J te;Js;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. BkYk;, Bkw;go flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf bray;glf; TlhJ vdt[k;, mt;thW bray;gl;lhy; mJ jz;of;fj;jf;f Fw;wk; vdt[k;, mwpt[Wj;jg;gl;L, eilKiwg;gLj;jg;gl;Ls;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. nt;thW flikfSk;, bghWg;g[f;fSk; gpuj;jpBafkhf eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;oUe;Jk;, Bkw;go flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; jdJ mjpfhuj;ij jtwhfg; gad;gLj;jp jd;trkpUe;j MtzA;fis jdf;F VJthf gad;gLj;jp Bghyp gjpt[fs; bra;J mjd;Kyk; rA;f tptfhu vy;iff;F btspBa cs;s tp!;tghujp E]w;ghiyapy; gzpg[hpe;J tUk; 127 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F kj;jpaf; fhyf; fld;fs; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf fld; kDf;fs; jahh; bra;Jk;, eph;thff; FGtpd; ftdj;jpw;F bfhz;L tuhky;, eph;thfj;ij jpl;lkpl;L Vkhw;wp Bkw;go fld;fs; tHA;fg';gl;ljhf bgha;f; fzf;Ffs; vGjp Bkw;go fld;fSf;Fhpa mry; U.50,76,762/I ifahly; bra;Jk;, mjw;Fhpa tl;oa[k; Brh;j;J U.90,50,069/ kjpg;gpw;F epjpapHg;g[ Vw;gLj;jpa[s;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. nt;thW jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;gpypUe;J jtwpa[k;, jpl;lkpl;L eph;thfj;ij Vkhw;wpa[k;, gpd;dPl;oy; Bkw;go fld;fs; tR{yhftpy;iybad;W eph;thfj;jpw;F bjhptpj;Jk;, kj;jpa tA;fpg; gzpahsh;fSf;Fj; bjhptpj;Jk;, mth;fis Vkhw;wpa[k;, muR rYifj; jpl;lj;jpd; fPH; muir Vkhw;wp rpwg;g[ fld; jPh;t[j; jpl;lj;jpd; fPH; murplkpUe;J tl;o rYif bgw Btz;o MtzA;fs; jahhpj;J mjd; Kyk; rA;fj;ija[k;, rA;f eph;thfj;ija[k;, kj;jpaf; Tl;Lwt[ tA;fp eph;thfj;ija[k;, Tl;Lwt[ mYtyh;fisa[k; jpl;lkpl;L Vkhw;wpa[s;sJ bjhpa te;Js;sJ. Bkw;fz;l mtuJ bray;fs; Kyk; jdJ mjpfhuj;ij J&;gpuBahfk; bra;J, jd;trkpUe;j MtzA;fis KiwBflhff; ifahz;L tA;fpg; gzpahsh;fSf;Fhpa jFjpia nHf;ff; fhuzkhfpa[s;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. nt;thW nth; flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwpa[k;, rA;fj;jpw;F ek;gpf;ifj; JBuhfk; niHj;Js;sJk;, rA;f eyd;fSf;F vjpuhf bray;gl;Lk;, rA;f eph;thfk; mth; kPJ itj;Js;s ek;gpf;if nHf;ff; fhuzkhfpa [s;sJk; bjhpa tUfpwJ. Fw;wr;rhl;L-2 jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh;, (jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; jd;trkpUe;j MtzA;fis KiwBflhff; ifahz;L jdf;fpUe;j mjpfhuj;ij J&;gpuBahfk; bra;J, Bghypahf tHA;fg;gl;l fld;fis tR{ypg;gjw;fhf thliff; fhh; fl;lzk; kw;Wk; gazg;go vd;w Kiwapy; KiwBflhd fzf;Ffs; vGjp mjd;Kyk; rA;f epjp U.13,571/I jpl;lkpl;L ifahly; bra;Js;shh;. nt;thW bgha;f; fzf;F vGjp rA;fj;ija[k;, rA;f eph;thfj;ija[k; jpl;lkpl;L Vkhw;wpa[s;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L 2-f;fhd rhl;Liu: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; jdf;F eph;zapf;fg;gl;l flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf rA;f tptfhu vy;iff;F mg;ghw;gl;l tp!;tghujp kpy;ypy; Btiy ghh;j;j bjhHpyhsh;fSf;F bfhLf;fg;gl;l fld;fs; 20.10.2006k; Bjjp U.12,84,027/I jpUg;g{hpy; cs;s tp!;tghujp blf;!;ily;!@; gpiuBtl; ypl;., epWtdj;jpdkpUe;J fhBrhiy vz;.031519 ehs; 28.10.2006k; Bjjp bgw;Wf; bfhz;L mjw;Fhpa urPJk; nth; tHA;fp, Bkw;go tp!;tghujp blf;!;ily;!; kpy;ypy; gzpg[hpa[k; gzpahsh;fs;/cWg;gpdh;fs; mtuth; bgw;w flid Beh; bra;Jtpl;l epiyapy; Bkw;go blf;!;ily;!; kpy;ypy; Btiy ghh;f;Fk; Rkhh; 127 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F fld;fs; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;f; fzf;Ffs; jahhpj;J Bkw;go fld;fs; tR{yhftpy;iy vd;W fhuzk; fhl;o, tR{ypg;gjw;fhf jpUg;g{hpy; brd;wjhf bgha;ahd MtzA;fs; jahhpj;Jk;, Bkhroahd gazg;go gpy;fs; jahhpj;Jk;, eph;thfj;ij Vkhw;wp U.11,571/I rA;fj;jpypUe;J bgw;W Bkw;go rA;f epjpia jpl;lkpl;L ifahly; bra;Js;sJk;, rA;fj;jpw;F epjpapHg;g[ Vw;gLj;jpa[s;sJk;, rA;f eyd;fSf;F vjpuhf bray;gl;Lk;, rA;f https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 5 eph;thfk; mth; kPJ itj;Js;s ek;gpf;ifia nHf;ff; fhuzkhfpa[s;sJk; bjhpa tUfpwJ;. Fw;wr;rhl;L-3 jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; jdf;F eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;l flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghft[k;, Tl;Lwt[j; Jiwapduhy; Vw;gLj;jg;gl;l Efh;Bthh; fld; tHA;Fk; tpjpKiwfSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf xU cWg;gpdUf;F mjpfgl;rk; U.35,000/-k; kl;Lk; tHA;f Btz;Lbkd;w epge;jid nUe;Jk;, Bkw;go epge;jidf;Fg; g [wk;ghft[k;, jdf;fpUe;j mjpfhuj;ij jtwhfg; gad;gLj;jpa[k;, jd; trkpUe;J MtzA;fis Kiwahf ifahz;Lk; bgha;ahf Rkhh; 35 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F HPL vd;w fld; jiyg;gpd; fPH; xt;bthU egUf;Fk; U.50,000/-k; fld; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;f; fzf;Ffs; vGjp, Bkw;go bjhiffis jpl;lkpl;L jw;fhypff; ifahly; bra;Js;shh;. nt;thW jdJ flik kw;wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwp bray;gLtija[k;, jd;dpr;irahf bray;gLtija[k;, rA;fj;jpw;F el;lk; Vw;gLj;Jtija[k;, mYtyf cj;jput[fis cjhrPdk; bra;tija[k; tHf;fkhff; bfhz;Lk; mjd; Kyk; rA;fj;jpw;F el;lKk;, tl;o el;lKk; Vw;gLj;Jtij tHf;fkhff; bfhz;Ls;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L-3f;fhd rhl;Liu: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; (jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; jdf;F eph;zapf;fg;gl;l flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf Vw;fdBt tp!;tghujp blf;!;ily;!; kpy;ypy; Btiy ghh;j;j cWg;gpdh;fs; thA;fpa flid Kot[ fl;oa gpd;dh; Bkw;bfhz;L 127 fld;fs; g[jpjhf tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;ahd fzf;Ffs; vGjpa[k;, mjpy; 35 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F Vw;fdBt Tl;Lwt[j; Jiwapduhy; mdkjpj;j tHf;fj;jpy; gpd;gw;wg;gl;LtUk; Efh;Bthh; fld; tHA;FtJ rk;ke;jg;gl;l rA;fj; Jiz tpjp vd;.32(3) f;F Vw;gLj;jg;gl;l tHpKiw (Regulation) 3y; fz;Ls;s epge;jidf;Fg; g[wk;ghf Rkhh; 35 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F mjpfgl;rkhf U.50,000/k; fld; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;ahd MtzA;fs; jahhpj;J, rA;fj; Jiz tpjpfSf;Fg; g[wk;ghft[k; tHpKiwfSf;Fg; g [wk;ghft[k;, jdf;F bfhLf;fg;gl;l mjpfhuj;jpw;Fg; g[wk;ghft[k;, jd;dpr;irahf bray;gl;L mjw;Fhpa bjhifis jw;fhypff; ifahly; bra;J, Rayhgk; mile;Js;sJk;, mjd;Kyk; jd;dpr;irahf ele;Js;sJk;, rA;f eph;thfk; mth; kPJ itj;Js;s ek;gpf;ifia nHf;ff; fhuzkhfpa[s;sJk; Bkw;go jw;fhypff; ifahly; bra;ag;gl;l bjhiff;Fhpa tl;o el;lj;ij Vw;gLj;jpa[s;sJ bjhpa te;Js;sJ. Fw;wr;rhl;L-4: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; (jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; jdJ brayUf;Fhpa flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwpa[k;, rA;fj; Jiz tpjpfSf;Fgk; g[wk;ghft[k;, Tl;Lwt[ rA;fA;fspd; rl;lk; kw;Wk; tpjpfSf;Fg; g[wk;ghft [k;, eph;thfj;jpd; mDkjpapy;yhkYk;, eph;thfj;jpd; jPh;khdk; ny;yhkYk;, jd;dpr;irahf fld; bgw;w cWg;gpdh;fSf;F gA;Fj; bjhif thg!; vd;w jiyg;gpd; fPH; fzf;Ffs; vGjp mjd; Kyk; U.32,90,653/I jpl;lkpl;L rA;fj;jpw;F tut[ te;jjhf bgha;f; fzf;F vGjp, rA;fj;jpw;F epjpapHg;g[ Vw;gLj;jpa[s;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L-4f;fhd rhl;Liu:: rA;fj;Jiz tpjp vz;.9(3)d; goa[k;, Tl;Lwt[ rA;fA;fspd; rl;lk; kw;Wk; tpjpfspd; fPH; fld; bgw;w xU cWg;gpdUf;F gA;Fj; bjhifia thg!; bra;tjw;F Kd;dh; Kiwahf eph;thfj;jpd; ftdj;jpw;F bfhz;L te;J, eph;thfj;jpy; jPh;khdk; naw;wp mjd; gpd;dh;, gA;Fj; bjhifia thg!; bra;ag;gl Btz;Lk; vd;w tHpKiwfSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh;, jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g [f;fspypUe;J jtwpa[k;, fld;fs; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;ahd MtzA;fs; jahhpj;Jk;, Bkwgo egh;fs; fld;fis jpUg;gpr; brYj;jpajhf xU epiyia Vw;gLj;jp mth;fSf;F eph;thf mDkjpapd;w gA;Fj; bjhiffs; thg!; bra;ag;gl;ljhf bgha;f;fzf;Ffs; vGjp mjd;Kyk; rA;fj;jpd; fzf;Ffspy; KiwBfLfs; bra;J, rA;fj;ija[k;, rA;f eph;thfj;ija[k; jpl;lkpl;L Vkhw;wpa[s;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 6 Fw;wr;rhl;L-5: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; (jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; BkwTwpathW flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwp Rkhh; 127 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F Bghypahf fld;fs tHA;fg;gl;ljhf fzf;Ffs; vGjp mth;fs; jpUg;gpr; brYj;jpajhf fzf;F vGjp, mjw;F 6% kl;LBk muR mwptpj;j rYifg;go tl;oia brYj;jp rA;fj;jpw;Fr; Bru Btz;oa rA;fk; kw;Wk; murpw;F Bru Btz;oa tl;lo tpj;jpahrk; 16% rA;fj;jpw;F brYj;jhky; rA;fj;jpw;F jpl;lkpl;o epjpapHg;g[ Vw;gLj;jpa[s;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L-5f;fhd rhl;Liu: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwp, 127 cWg;gpdh;fSf;F kj;jpa fhy Efh;Bthh; fld; tHA;fg;gl;ljhf bgha;ahd gjpt [fs; bra;Jk;, MtzA;fs; jahhpj;Jk;, fzf;Ffs; vGjp mry; bjhif U.50,76,762/I jpl;lkpl;L jw;fhyff; ifahly; bra;J, mtw;iw jpUk;gr; brYj;jpajhf gjpt[fs; bra;J, Bkw;go fld;fSf;F 6% kl;LBk tl;o tR{ypf;fg;gl;ljhf fzf;Ffs; vGjp kPjKs;s tpj;jpahr tl;o 16%I chpa bjhifia rA;fj;jpy; brYj;jhky; rA;fj;jpw;F el;lKk;, tl;o el;lKk; Vw;gLj;jpa[s;sJk;, nt;thW jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwp, jd;dpr;irahf bray;gl;L rA;f epjpia KiwBflhf ifahz;L, rA;fj;jpw;F tl;o el;lk; Vw;gLj;jp Rayhgk; mile;Js;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. Fw;wr;rhl;L-6: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh;, (jw;fhypfg;gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; rA;fj; JiztpjpfSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf 31.03.2010k; Bjjp Kjy; 03.07.2010k; Bjjp Koa rA;fj;jpd; ifapUg;g[j; bjhifia mjpfkhf itj;jpUe;J mjpf ifapUg;ig clDf;Fld; kj;jpaf; Tl;Lwt[ tA;fpf; fpisapy; brYj;jp, rA;fk; tl;o brYj;Jtij jtph;f;fhky;, kj;jp tA;fpf;F rA;f eph;thfk; mjpfg;goahd tl;oia brYj;Jk; epiyia Vw;gLj;jp mjd;Kyk; brayhsUf;F flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fspypUe;J jtwp bray;gl;Lk;, jd;dpr;irahf bray;gl;Lk;, mYtyf cj;jput[fis cjhrPdk; bra;Jk; cs;shh;. Fw;wr;rhl;L-6f;fhd rhl;Liu: jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh;, (jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;fk;) mth;fs; jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g[f;fSf;Fg; g[wk;ghf brayhsh; vd;w Kiwapy; rA;f ifapUg;gpw;F mtBu KGg;bghWg;g[ vd;w Kiwapy;, jdJ mjpfhuj;ij J&;gpuBahfk; bra;J rA;fj; Jiztpjpapd; go md;whl brytPdk; U.50/-f;F Bky; ifapUg;g[ mjpfkhf itj;jpUf;ff; TlhJ vd;w &uj;J nUe;Jk;, jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, jdJ brayhsh; gjtpia KiwBflhfg; gad;gLj;jpa[k;, mst[f;F mjpfkhf ifapUg;g[ itj;jpUe;jhy; epjpa[jtp bra;a[k; kj;jpaf; Tl;Lwt[ tA;fpf;F mjpfkhf tl;o rA;fk; brYj;j Btz;Lk; vd;w epiyia ed;F bjhpe;jpUe;Jk;, jd;dpr;irahf eph;thfj;jpd; mDkjpapd;wp eph;thfj;jpd; ftdj;jpw;F bfhz;L tuhky; 31.03.2010k; Bjjp Kjy; 03.07.2010k; Bjjp Koa Rkhh; U.40,00,000/-j;jpw;F Bkyhf mjpf ifapUg;g[ itj;jpUe;J mjd; Kyk; rA;fk; kj;jpa tA;fpf;F 22% tl;oj; bjhif Rkhh; U.2,48,065/ brYj;j Btz;oa epiyia Vw;gLj;jp njd; Kyk; rA;fj;jpw;F el;lk; Vw;glf; fhuzkhf nUe;J jdJ brayhsh; gjtpf;Fhpa jFjpia nHe;Js;sJ bjhpa tUfpwJ. nt;thW jdJ flik kw;Wk; bghWg;g [f;fspypUe;J jtwp bray;gLtija[k;, jd;dpr;irahf bray;gLtija[k;, rA;fj;jpw;F el;lk; Vw;gLj;Jtija[k;, mYtyf cj;jput[fis cjhrPdk; bra;tija[k; tHf;fkhff; bfhz;Lk; mjd; Kyk; rA;fj;jpw;F el;lKk;, tl;o el;lKk; Vw;gLj;Jtij tHf;fkhff; bfhz;Ls;shh;." 9. Some of the documents sought to be relied on by the Special Officer to substantiate the charges, as per annexure No.3, are as follows: "1.jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, brayhsh; mth;fSf;F eph;zapj;Jf; bfhLf;fg;gl;l flikfSk;, bghWg;g[f;fSk;. 2. rA;fj;jpd; cWg;gpdh;fspd; fld;fs; rk;ke;jg;gl;l MtzA;fs; https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 7 3. rpwg;g[ Brkpg;g[ fzf;F rk;ke;jg;gl;l MtzA;fs; 4. rA;fj; jPh;khdg; g[j;jfk;, gpuBtr g[j;jfk;, kw;Wk; tut[ bryt[ gw;Wr;rPl;Lf;fs; 5. rA;f ehs;tHpg;BgBuL kw;Wk; nju MtzA;fs; 6. jw;fhypfg; gzpePf;f cj;jput[ ehs; 30.06.2010. 10. Material on record shows that though the charges are framed on 20.04.2011, the petitioner, by representations dated 08.05.2011 and 23.05.2011, addressed to the Special Officer of A303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein, has stated that only after perusal of the documents, it could be possible to submit his explanation. Since no explanation has been submitted, by proceedings dated 25.05.2011, the second respondent has appointed an enquiry officer and that the enquiry was scheduled on 08.06.2011. On receipt of the enquiry notice, the petitioner has again made a representation that due to long lapse of time, he could not re-collect the events relating to grant of loans and only after perusal of the documents, the veracity of the charges could be ascertained and, therefore, sought for postponement of enquiry. Subsequently, the petitioner had approached this Court in W.P.(MD)No.6548 of 2011 for a Mandamus, directing the second respondent to proceed with the domestic enquiry, after permitting the petitioner to peruse the records and to submit his explanation, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 23.05.2011. Having regard to the limited prayer sought for, this Court, vide order dated 29.06.2011, had directed the second respondent therein to commence the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order made in the above said Writ Petition and further, directed the petitioner to co-operate with the enquiry. There is also a direction to the second respondent therein to furnish all the documents to the petitioner. Pursuant to the above, the petitioner, vide letter dated 07.07.2011, sought for the following documents: "The Pay certificates, loan applications, undertakings given u/s.48 of the Act, Loan Disbursement Registers, Loan ledger (Format-1) for the year 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 (relating to 134 employees of the Vishwabarathi Textiles of Vadamadurai) 2. The cheque leaves for disbursement of loan to 134 employees as in serial No.1 3. Cash books in respect of the loan disbursement made to 134 employees during the year 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001- 2002." 11. The petitioner, in the above said letter dated 07.07.2011, has prayed that he may be permitted to submit the explanation and thereafter, if the enquiry officer is not satisfied with the explanation, he may proceed with the domestic enquiry. In response to the letter, the enquiry officer has stated that some of the documents, which are not available in the society, have been sought for. The petitioner has also been permitted to peruse certain documents relating to housing loan issued to the members, which according to the petitioner, are not relevant to the allegations levelled against him, i.e., regarding benami consumers loans issued to 127 members/employees of M/s.Viswa Bharathi Textile Mills. The enquiry officer https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 8 has permitted the petitioner to receive the copies of documents 2 and 3, referred to in the representation dated 07.07.2011. At the risk of repetition, the details of the documents sought for in the representation dated 07.07.2011 are extracted as follows: "2. The cheque leaves for disbursement of loan to 134 employees as in serial No.1 3. Cash books in respect of the loan disbursement made to 134 employees during the year 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001- 2002." 12. The reply of the Special Officer of A303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein dated 05.08.2011 is also extracted as follows: "mLj;jgoahf mtuJ 07.07.2011k; Bjjpapl;l fojj;jpy; ndk; vz;.2y; Bfhhpa [s;s fhBrhiyfs; cs;sd. mtw;wpd; efy;fis Behpy; te;J bgw;Wf; bfhs;s njd;Kyk; mwpt[Wj;jg;gLfpwhh;. mLj;jgoahf ndk; vz;.3y; Bfhhpa[s;s urPJfSf;Fhpa buhf;f g[j;jfA;fs; 1999-2000, 2000-2001 kw;Wk; 2001-2002 Mfpatw;wpd; efy;fis jpU.gp.kiyag;gd; Behpy; te;J bgw;Wf; bfhs;SkhW njd; Kyk; mwpt[Wj;jg;gLfpwhh;." 13. As regards, some of the documents sought for by the petitioner, in item No.1 of his letter dated 07.07.2011, the second respondent has made the following observations: "Bkw;go ndk; 1y; Bfhhpa[s;s MtzA;fis jpU.gp.kiyag;gd;, ehsJ Bjjp tiu Kiwahf gl;oaypl;L xg;gilf;fhky; mth; trBk itj;Js;sJ bjhpa te;Js;sJ. vdBt rA;fj;jpd; bghWg;gpy; cs;s Bkw;go tPl;Lf; fld; rk;ge;jg;gl;l fld; gl;Lthlh BgBuLfs; cs;sjhy; mtw;iw ghh;itapl;L, mtw;wpd; efy;fis Behpy; te;J bgw;Wf; bfhs;s njd;Kyk; mwpt[Wj;jg;gLfpwhh;." 14. Material on record shows that the enquiry has been fixed on 24.08.2011. Again, the petitioner has sent a letter dated 22.08.2011, stating that since he had already submitted all the documents to the office, at the time of interim suspension, no orders have been passed directing him to submit any document. It is also stated that without the documents in the society, inquiry under Section 81 of the Act would not have been completed and that a report would not have been filed by the inquiry officer. He further submitted that when the petitioner had been repeatedly seeking for copies of documents, after 14 months, for the first time, it has been stated by the second respondent that some of the documents had already been retained by the petitioner. Again, he has sought for extension of time for submission of his explanation. In response to the above, the Special Officer, vide proceeding dated 24.08.2011, has furnished the following documents.: "1.fld; gl;Lthlh gjpBtL (tPL fl;Lk; fld;fspd; tpguk;) (gf;fk; 1 Kjy; 2 tiu) 2. fhBrhiy rpl;Lfs; efy; (1 Kjy; 171 Koa) 3. buhf;f g[j;jfk; efy; bjhFjp 1 gf;fk; 1 Kjy; 58 tiu) 4. buhf;f g[j;jfk; efy; bjhFjp 2 gf;fk; 1 Kjy; 56 tiu) 5. fld;BgBuL format I (gf;fk; 1 Kjy; 135 tiu)" He has reiterated that some of the documents stated in item No.1 of the letter dated 07.07.2011 submitted by the petitioner are not available in the second respondent society. Despite opportunities, the petitioner has not submitted his explanation and, therefore, the enquiry officer, by the https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 9 impugned proceedings dated 07.09.2011, fixed the domestic enquiry on 21.09.2011. Thus, it could be seen from the sequence of events from 20.04.2011, the date on which the charges were formulated alleging serious irregularities relating to forgery, creation of false entries, misappropriation of huge sum, etc., that the petitioner has been given opportunity to submit his explanation to the charges and that out of three items of documents, referred to in his letter dated 07.07.2011, the Special Officer of A303 Thennampatti Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank, Dindigul, the second respondent herein, has permitted the petitioner to take xerox copies of the documents mentioned in item Nos.2 and 3. In respect of the documents referred to in item No.1 of the said letter, a reply has also been furnished to the petitioner to appear in the office of the second respondent, peruse and obtain certain documents available in the society. Some of the documents, according to the second respondent society, are not available. 15. It is well known that when departmental proceedings are initiated, there should be some basis. The charged official should be given sufficient opportunity to peruse the documents or to have copies of the same, which form the basis for the charges. The charged official is also entitled to seek for defence documents to submit his explanation and to defend the departmental proceedings effectively. In the case on hand, except few documents sought for by the petitioner, material on record disclose that the request had been substantially considered. If, for any reason, the petitioner is seriously prejudiced, due to non-furnishing of certain documents sought for by him, in effectively defending the charges or if any irregularity in the procedure or violation of principles of natural justice, is alleged, it is always open to the charged official to plead or prove bias by the enquiry officer, or prejudice caused due to non- furnishing the copies of documents required for defence, if any adverse finding is recorded, without any basis or evidence. In a disciplinary proceeding, there is every likelihood of an allegation of bias or partisan attitude by the management or by the enquiry officer. Courts cannot intervene at each and every stage of the disciplinary proceedings. The role of an enquiry officer is only to assist the appointing/disciplinary authority to arrive at a prima facie conclusion as to whether the charged official has committed the acts of misconduct, alleged against him. If the findings are perverse or without any evidence or biassed, or in case where there are procedural irregularities and violations of principles of natural justice, it is always open to the charged official to submit his further explanation on the findings, if any, adversely recorded, to the disciplinary authority, who is bound to consider the report of the enquiry officer, findings recorded and the defence put up by the charged official, in respect of the above grounds. The disciplinary authority, being the fact finding authority, has to address the above said points. Even assuming that certain documents sought for by the petitioner are not furnished, it is always open to the petitioner to take advantage of the same and assail the correctness of the adverse findings, if any, recorded. 16. In the light of the above discussion, this Court is of the view that merely because some of the documents, which are sought for by the petitioner, are not furnished, the charge memo dated 20.04.2011 cannot be quashed. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 10 17. In this case, it is also worthwhile to extract few decisions of the Supreme Court, in which, it is categorically stated that neither a show cause notice nor a charge memorandum issued to an official can give rise to a cause of action to quash the same at the threshold, except in rare and rarest cases, which are as follows: (i) In Union