Case: I.K. MANIK Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

1. Leave granted. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties at length. 3. This is a case which reflects how the appellant has been harassed by the State of Karnataka. He was appointed as Incharge Tutor in the year 1960. After rendering the services for more than 15 years, he was suspended in the year 1976. The Director of Heath and Family Welfare revoked the suspension order on 13.12.1994 and a decision was taken to reinstate him. Thereafter, he was posted to Primary Heath Centre, Ingalahalli, Hubli Taluk, Dharwad on 06.01.1995. 4. The Medical Officer, Inglahalli wrote a letter to Respondent No. 2 seeking his guidance regarding annual increments, leave and other benefits to the appellant. The appellant filed a representation, however, nothing was done. Ultimately, on attaining the age of superannuation, the appellant retired from service on 31.05.1999. The appellant, thereafter, approached the State Government by way of an appeal under Rule 19 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957. 5. The Medical Officer, Inglahalli, wrote a letter to the District Health and Family Welfare Officer on 11.01.2008 informing that pension of Rs. 1075/- per month was sanctioned and Rs. 35,456/- payable as Gratuity was withheld on account of the disciplinary action. As the pension was withheld, the appellant submitted a representation on 28.08.2011. Aggrieved by the inaction, the appellant filed an original application before the Tribunal praying for the relief of regularisation of the period of suspension from 01.03.1976 TO 13.12.1994 as the period spent on duty and release the pension and other benefits also. The Tribunal dismissed the original application on the ground of delay. 6. Aggrieved by the dismissal order of the Tribunal, the appellant approached the High Court by way of filing a Writ Petition, being W.P.(C) No. 107172 of 2017. The same has been decided by the impugned order dated 12.12.2017. The High Court has also dismissed the writ petition on the ground of delay. 7. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties at length. In our opinion, the original application and the writ application filed by the appellant could not have been dismissed by the Tribunal and the High Court on the ground of delay. When the appellant had retired on attaining the age of superannuation in the year 1999, it was incumbent upon the respondent-State to regularise the period of suspension by passing the requisite order under the fundamental rules. That has not been done. It was a lapse on the part of the employer. The employer was required to regularise the aforesaid period as no punishment had been imposed and the appellant had been kept under suspension for the aforesaid period in question.

Decision reasoning: 1[ds]7. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties at length. In our opinion, the original application and the writ application filed by the appellant could not have been dismissed by the Tribunal and the High Court on the ground of delay. When the appellant had retired on attaining the age of superannuation in the year 1999, it was incumbent upon the respondent-State to regularise the period of suspension by passing the requisite order under the fundamental rules. That has not been done. It was a lapse on the part of the employer. The employer was required to regularise the aforesaid period as no punishment had been imposed and the appellant had been kept under suspension for the aforesaid period in question.