Patna High Court
Michael Francis vs The Bihar School Examination Board on 9 January, 2026
Author: Sandeep Kumar
Bench: Sandeep Kumar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.3604 of 2025
======================================================
Michael Francis Son of Louis Francis Resident of Reena Billa, Near B-110,
Buddha Colony, P.S.-Buddha Colony, District-Patna.
... ... Petitioner
Versus
1. The Bihar School Examination Board through its Secretary, Sinha Library
Road, Patna-800017.
2. The Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board, Sinha Library Road,
Patna-800017.
3. The Secretary, Bihar School Examination Board, Sinha Library Road, Patna-
800017.
4. Chief Vigilance Officer-Cum-Inquiry Officer, Bihar School Examination
Board, Sinha Library Road, Patna-800017.
5. The Deputy Secretary (Establishment), Bihar School Examination Board,
Sinha Library Road, Patna-800017.
6. The Joint Secretary Establishment, Bihar School Examination Board, Sinha
Library Road, Patna-800017.
... ... Respondents
======================================================
with
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 4007 of 2025
======================================================
Sujeet Kumar Son of Late Lalbabu Ray Resident of Gandhi Colony, Ashiana
Nagar, P.S.-Rajeev Nagar, District-Patna, Bihar-800025.
... ... Petitioner
Versus
1. The Bihar School Examination Board through its Secretary, Sinha Library
Road, Patna-800017.
2. The Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board Sinha Library Road, Patna-
800017.
3. The Secretary, Bihar School Examination Board Sinha Library Road, Patna-
800017.
4. Chief Vigilance Officer-Cum-Inquiry Officer, Bihar School Examination
Board Sinha Library Road, Patna-800017.
5. The Deputy Secretary (Establishment), Bihar School Examination Board
Sinha Library Road, Patna-800017.
6. The Joint Secretary Establishment, Bihar School Examination Board Sinha
Library Road, Patna-800017.
... ... Respondents
Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026
2/27
======================================================
Appearance :
(In Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 3604 of 2025)
For the Petitioner : Mr. P.N. Shahi, Senior Advocate
Mr. Namrata Dubey, Advocate
Mr. Kumar Kaushik, Advocate
Mr. Hemant Raj, Advocate
Mr. Shubham Priyadarshi, Advocate
For the State : Mr. P.K.Shahi, A.G.
For the B.S.E.B. : Mr. Sunil Kumar Mandal, Advocate
(In Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 4007 of 2025)
For the Petitioner : Mr. P.N. Shahi, Senior Advocate
Mr. Namrata Dubey, Advocate
Mr. Kumar Kaushik, Advocate
Mr. Hemant Raj, Advocate
Mr. Shubham Priyadarshi, Advocate
For the State : Mr. P.K.Shahi, A.G.
For the B.S.E.B. : Mr. Girijesh Kumar, Advocate
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
C.A.V. JUDGMENT
Date : 09-01-2026
Since the facts of these cases are same and similar,
they have been heard together and are being disposed of by this
common judgment and order.
2. In C.W.J.C. No.3604 of 2025, the petitioner
(Michael Francis) has challenged the order contained in memo
no.66 dated 16.01.2024 passed by the Secretary, Bihar School
Examination Board, by which the petitioner- Michael Francis he
has been visited with the punishment of dismissal from service
with a further stipulation that nothing shall be payable to him for
the period of suspension. In C.W.J.C. No.4007 of 2025, the
petitioner - Sujeet Kumar, has challenged the order contained in
memo no.67 dated 16.01.2024 passed by the Secretary, Bihar
School Examination Board, by which he has been visited with
Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026
3/27
the punishment of compulsory retirement from service with a
further stipulation that nothing shall be payable to the petitioner
except subsistence allowance for the period of suspension. The
petitioners have also challenged the appellate orders dated
19.12.2024and 08.01.2025 respectively, by which the appeal filed by the petitioners against the orders of punishment, have been rejected by the Appellate Authority. They have also prayed to direct the respondent authorities to make payment of consequential arrears of salary for the period during which they has been kept out of employment and also to make payment of full salary to the petitioners for the period of suspension after deducting the subsistence allowance already paid to them.
3. The facts of these cases are that both the petitioners were appointed on Class-IV posts in the Bihar School Examination Board and they were promoted to the post of Routine Clerk in the years 2008. Whereafter, both the petitioners have been further promoted to the post of Assistant in the year 2012. In the year 2018, a departmental proceeding was initiated against the petitioners primarily on the allegation that they were unauthorizedly absent from their duties and for their involvement/role in the criminal case bearing Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 dated 19.07.2018. Against the petitioner- Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 4/27 Micheal Francis, altogether seven charges have been framed, which primarily revolved around the allegation of unauthorized absence from the duty and for his involvement/role in the criminal case bearing Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 dated 19.07.2018. Thereafter, a supplementary memo of charge was also submitted wherein one additional charge has been framed against the aforesaid petitioner that despite being suspended, he did not join his assigned headquarters for about five months.
4. So far as petitioner - Sujeet Kumar is concerned, altogether five charges have been framed against him, which also revolved around his unauthorized absence from the duties and also his involvement/role in the criminal case bearing Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 dated 19.07.2018.
5. Thereafter, the Enquiry Officer issued memo dated 15.07.2019 upon the petitioners annexing the charges levelled against them and directed the petitioners to submit their reply/defence. The petitioners by filing representation/ applications requested to supply certain document, based on which, charges were levelled against them. Whereafter, the petitioners have submitted their written responses/replies. The Enquiry Officer after conducting the enquiry submitted the enquiry report to the respondent-Board finding the charges Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 5/27 against the petitioner- Michael Francis to be true whereas, against the petitioner-Sujit Kumar it has been concluded that the involvement of the petitioner cannot be ruled out and he cannot be exonerated from the charges. Based on the enquiry report, second show-cause notices were issued to the petitioners, to which the petitioners have filed their respective response/reply.
Upon considering the reply to the second show-cause, the disciplinary authority issued the impugned orders contained in memo nos.66 and 67 both dated 16.01.2024 dismissing the petitioner-Michael Francis from the service and compulsorily retiring the petitioner - Sujeet Kumar from the service.
6. For better appreciating of facts of both these cases, it will be relevant to quote the impugned orders of punishment. The impugned order passed in the case of petitioner
- Michael Francis reads as under:-
i=kad&LFkk0izs0&66@2024 fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr] iVuk dk;kZy; vkns'k Jh ekbZdy Ýzkafll] lgk;d ¼fuyafcr½ ds }kjk fnukad&19-07- 2018 ls fcuk fdlh lwpuk@vkosnu ds dk;kZy; ls vuf/kd`r :i ls vuqifLFkr ik;s tkus ds dkj.k Kkikad&,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk muls Li"Vhdj.k dh ekax dh x;hA Jh Ýzkafll dk fnukad & 20- 07-2018 dks ,d vkosnu dk;kZy; esa izkIr gqvk] ftlesa fnukad&20-07-2018 ls 25-07-2018 rd vkdfLed vodk'k esa jgus dh lwpuk izkIr gqbZ] ftls lfefr dk;kZy; ds }kjk vLohd`r djrs gq, Li"Vhdj.k dh ekax dh x;h Fkh] ijUrq Jh Ýzkafll }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk mRrj ugha fn;k x;k] ftlds vkjksi esa lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6089] fnukad&27-07-2018 ds }kjk fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr fofu;ekoyh&1964 ds v/;k;&10 dh dafMdk&48¼i½ ds vUrxZr rRdky izHkko ls fuyafcr djrs gq, foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds v/khu fd;k x;kA 2- mYys[kuh; gS fd dksrokyh Fkkuk dkaM la0&452@18] fnukad&19-07- Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 6/27 2018 esa lafyIr Jh Ýzkafll ds fo:) lk{; miyC/k djkus gsrq lfefr ds i=kad&LFkk0izs0&6305] fnukad 01-09-2018 ds }kjk Fkkuk izHkkjh] dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk dks i= izsf"kr fd;k x;k] ftlds vkyksd esa iqfyl voj fujh{kd dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk ds i=kad&Mh0vkj0ua0&1942] fnukad&19- 09-2019 ds }kjk Jh Ýzkafll ds laca/k esa lk{; miyC/k djk;k x;kA 3- mDr ds vkyksd esa Jh Ýzkafll dks fuyafcr djus ds mijkar lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6605] fnukad&29-10-2018 ds }kjk Jh Ýzkafll] lgk;d ds fo:) vkjksi i= izi= **d** esa xfBr fuEukafdr vkjksiksa dh tkap gsrq foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh lapkfyr fd;k x;k%& ¼i½ vkids }kjk fnukad&19-07-2018 ls fcuk fdlh lwpuk@vkosnu ds dk;kZy; ls vuf/kd`r :i ls vuqifLFkr gksus ds dkj.k Kkikad&,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dh ekax fd;k x;k] ijUrq vkids }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk tokc ugha fn;k x;kA vkidk ;g d`R; dk;kZy; ds izfr ?kksj ykijokgh] vuq'kklughurk ,oa LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA ¼ii½ vkidk fnukad&20-07-2018 dks ,d vkosnu dk;kZy; esa izkIr gqvk] ftlesa fnukad&20-07-2018 ls 25-07-2018 rd vkdfLed vodk'k esa jgus dh lwpuk izkIr gqbZ] ftls lfefr dk;kZy; esa ,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk vLohd`r djrs gq, Li'Vhdj.k dh ekax fd;k x;k] ijUrq vkids }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk tokc ugha fn;k x;kA vkidk ;g d`R; dk;kZy; ds izfr ?kksj ykijokgh] vuq'kklughurk ,oa LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA ¼iii½ bl dkaM esa fxj¶rkj gq, vfHk;qDr vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj] tVk'kadj feJ us vius c;ku esa crk;k x;k gS fd ch0bZ0Vh0bZ0Vh0&2011 ds ijh{kkQy esa Qsjcny djus esa vkidk eq[; Hkwfedk jgh gSA lkFk gh vki ckgjh nyky ls laidZ dj Qsy vH;fFkZ;ksa dks ikl djkus dk dk;Z djrs FksA ¼iv½ bl dkaM esa fxj¶rkj gq, nyky fot; dqekj frokjh mQZ frokjh }kjk vius c;ku esa crk;k x;k gS fd vkius vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj] tVk'kadj feJ rFkk jathr feJk ds laidZ esa jgdj 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds vfHkys[ k@dEI;wVj vkadMk esa cnyko djk;s gSA ¼v½ bl dkaM esa fxj¶rkj nyky fot; dqekj frokjh us crk;k gS fd ch0bZ0Vh0bZ0Vh0&2011 ds ijh{kkQy esa vkids }kjk dEI;wVj ds vkadMk esa vjfoUn dqekj] vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj ls cnyko djok;k x;k rFkk vfHkys[k esa tVk'kadj feJ] jathr feJk ls feydj cnyko djk;k x;kA bl cnyko esa vkidh vge Hkwfedk Fkh] D;ksafd mlh izdkj dk dkxt ,oa Nik;h vkids }kjk gh djokbZ tkrh FkhA ¼vi½ bl dkaM esa oSKkfud vuqla/kku ds rgr nyky fot; frokjh mQZ frokjh ds eksckby ua0 ij vkids eksckbZy ua0 ls ckrphr gksus dk lk{; ik;k x;k gSA ¼vii½ vkidk mijksDr vkpj.k fcgkj ljdkjh lsod vkpj.k fu;ekoyh&1976 ds fu;e&3¼1½ ,oa 3¼2½ ds vuq:i ugha gSA 4- lfefr ds dk;kZy; ds i=kad&LFkk0izs0&6089] fnukad&27-07-2018 ds } kjk Jh Ýzkafll dks fuyafcr djrs gq, eq[;ky; Jh izoh.k dqekj flag] mi lfpo d{k ¼ek0 iz0½ esa fu/kkZfjr fd;k x;k] ijUrq muds }kjk lle; vius eq[;ky; esa ;ksxnku ugha djus ds vkjksi esa lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&108] fnukad&16-01-2019 ds }kjk iwjd vkjksi i= xfBr Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 7/27 dj fuEukafdr vkjksiksa dh tkWp gsrq foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh lapkfyr fd;k x;k %& ¼i½ lfefr dk;kZy; ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6089] fnukad&27-07- 2018 }kjk gh vkidks rRdky izHkko ls fuyafcr djrs gq, foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds v/khu fd;k x;k rFkk fuyacu vof/k esa vkidk eq[;ky; Jh izoh.k dqekj flag] mi lfpo d{k ¼ek0 iz0½ fu/kkZfjr fd;k x;k] ijUrq vkids }kjk vR;kf/kd foyac ds lkFk fnuakd&14-12-2018 dks dk;kZy; esa ;ksxnku gsrq vkosnu fn;k x;kA vkidk ;g d`R; dk;kZy; ds izfr ?kksj ykijokgh] vuq'kklughurk] vkns'k dh vogsyuk ,oa LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA 5- mDr foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh esa lapky; inkf/kdkjh ds i=kad&fu0ls0&222] fnukad&12-07-2023 }kjk tkWp izfrosnu lefiZr fd;k x;k] ftlesa tkap inkf/kdkjh dk earO; gS fd fnukad&19-07-2018 dks fcuk NqV~Vh ds vkjksih dk;kZy; ls vuqifLFkr jgs rFkk vius ;ksxnku djus dh frfFk ds iwoZ rd vius NqV~Vh ds vH;kosnu dks Lohd`r djkus dk dksbZ Hkh iz;kl ugha fd;k] tcfd fcgkj lsok lafgrk ds NqV~Vh laca/kh fu;eksa esa Li'V mYys[k gS fd NqV~Vh fdlh dehZ dk vf/kdkj ugha gS vkSj NqV~Vh Lohd`r djkdj gh fdlh ljdkjh lsod dks eq[;ky; NksMuk pkfg,A vaduh; gS fd dksrokyh Fkkuk dkaM la0&452@2018] fnukad&19-07-2018 ds ekeys esa lfefr dk;kZy; }kjk fcgkj izkjafHkd f'k{kd ik=rk ijh{kk o"kZ&2011 ds ¼BETET&2011½ ijh{kkQy iath ,oa dEI;wVj MkVkcsl esa QthZ rjhds ls vH;fFkZ;ksa dks ykHk igqapkus ds fy, Jh vfers"k dqekj] Jh vjfoUn dqekj] Jh tVk'kadj feJ] Jh jathr feJk ,oa 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa rFkk vU; vKkr ds fo:) izkFkfed ntZ djk;k x;k FkkA bl ?kksVkys ds tkap gsrq fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr }kjk ,d f=&lnL;h; tkap lfefr dk xBu fd;k x;k FkkA tkap lfefr us fnukad&19-07-2018 dks lefiZr vius izfrosnu esa crk;k fd **f'kdk;r i= esa vafdr 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds laca/k esa vkjksi dh tkap esa ik;k x;k fd blls lacaf/kr dEI;wVj lsy esa la/kkfjr MkVk esa fjtYV izkslslj ls izkIr djk, x, ewy lh0Mh0 ds MkVk ls ifjofrZr ik;k x;k gSA lkFk gh bl f'kdk;r i= esa vafdr 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa esa 10 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds ijh{kkQy ls lacaf/kr vad fu;kstu iath ¼Mh0Vh0vkj0½ dk iUuk cnydj u;k iUuk rS;kj djkdj ftYncan fd;k gqvk ik;k x;kA** lfefr us bl QthZokjk ds fy, dEI;wVj 'kk[kk ,oa vfHkys[kkxkj ds vusd dfeZ;ksa dks fpfUgr djrs gq, muds fo:) izkFkfedh ntZ djus dh vuq'kalk dh] ftlesa tkap ds dze esa izkFkfedh vfHk;qDrksa us vkjksih dh lafyIrrk dk Hkh c;ku fn;k fd ;g idMk;s vfHk;qDr vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj] tVk'kadj feJ bR;kfn us vius&vius LohdkjksfDr c;ku esa crk;s gS fd BETET&2011 ijh{kk ds ifj.kke esa Qsjcny@cnyko esa ekbZdy Ýzkafll] lgk;d ¼teqbZ ijh{kk½ dh eq[; Hkwfedk gSA lkFk esa ;s Hkh crk;s gS fd ekbZdy Ýzkafll] jkts'k jatu mQZ jktk ,oa jgeku] frokjh uke ds O;fDr tks fcgkj cksMZ dk nyky Fkk ds laidZ esa Fks rFkk fdl vH;FkhZ dk D;k psat djuk gS] rhuksa }kjk r; djds psat djrs FksA idMk;s nyky fot; dqekj frokjh mQZ frokjh }kjk vius LohdkjksfDr c;ku esa crk;s gS fd ekbZdy Ýzkafll us vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj] tVk'kadj feJ ,oa jathr feJk ds laidZ esa jgdj 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds vfHkys[k@dEI;wVj vkWdMk esa cnyko djok;s gSA lkFk gh nyky fot; dqekj frokjh us viuh LohdkjksfDr c;ku esa crk;s gS fd BETET&2011 ijh{kk ls lacaf/kr fjtYV esa ekbZy Ýzkafll] dEI;wVj ds vkWdMk esa vjfoUn Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 8/27 dqekj] vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj ls cnyko djok;k rFkk vfHkys[k esa tVk'kadj feJ] jathr feJk ls feydj cnyko djok;kA mDr cnyko esa ekbZdy Ýzkafll us vge Hkwfedk fuHkk;h] pqafd mlh izdkj dk dkxt ,oa Nik;h ekbZdy Ýzkafll gh djokrk FkkA ;g fd oSKkfud vuqla/kku ds rgr nyky fot; dqekj frokjh mQZ frokjh ds eksckbZy uEcj ij ekbZdy Ýzkafll ds eksckbZy uEcj ls ckrphr gksus dk lk{; ik;k x;k gSA KkrO; gks fd vizkFkfedh vfHk;qDr fot; dqekj frokjh fnukad&29-08-2018 dks Fkkuk ifjlj dksrokyh esa vuqla/kkudrkZ }kjk ,d iz'ukoyh ds rgr iwNrkN dh x;h] ftlds iz'u 09 esa ;g iwNk x;k fd fcgkj cksMZ ds fdu&fdu dfeZ;ksa ds laidZ esa oks Fks] rks mlus crk;k fd vU; ds vfrfjDr ekbZdy Ýzkafll Hkh laidZ esa FksA vkjksih ds ckjs esa iz'ukoyh ds iz'u 10] 11] 13] 14] 15 ,oa 17 ds mRrj esa mlus vad cnyko djus laca/kh xfrfof/k esa vkjksih dh Hkwfedk ds laca/k esa vusd rF; mn/kkfVr djrs gq, crk;k fd vfHkys[k ds dkxtkr ds leku dkxtkr dk izca/ku vkSj Nik;h dk dke vkjksih ds }kjk gh djk;k tkrk FkkkA vkxs iz'u 17 ds mRrj esa muds }kjk crk;k x;k fd naMkjh Fkkuk esa dkaM ntZ gksus ij tc Kkr gqvk fd dEI;wVj esa cnyko ugha gqvk gS] rc oks vfer dqekj] vfers'k dqekj ,oa vkjksih ls laidZ dj igys dEI;wVj ds vkWdMk esa cnyok djk;kA fcpkSfy;k us ;g Hkh crk;k fd QthZ dkxtkr Nik;h djokus dh eq[; ftEesokjh vkjksih dh gh FkhA vUos"k.k ds dze esa fcpkSfy;k frokjh ds dkaM la[;k ds vfHk;qDrksa ls eksckbZy ij gq, ckrphr dk C;kSjk Hkh izkIr fd;k x;k] ftlesa mudk eksckbZy ua0& xxxxxxx ls 13 vizSy 2018 ls tqykbZ 2018 rd dqy&12 ckj ckrphr djus dk lk{;
miyC/k gqvk gSA bl izdkj Jh Qzkafll ds fo:) xfBr lHkh vkjksi la0&01] 02] 03] 04] 05] 06 ,oa 07 izekf.kr ik;s x;s gSA lkFk gh Jh Qzkafll ds fo:) xfBr iwjd vkjksi dks Hkh izekf.kr fd;k x;k gSA 6- mDr tkap izfrosnu esa Jh Ýzkafll ds fo:) xfBr lHkh vkjksi izekf.kr ik;s tkus ds QyLo:i tkWp izfrosnu dh izfr layXu djrs gq, lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&873] fnukad 18-07-2023 }kjk Jh Ýzkafll ls f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk dh ekax dh x;hA 7- Jh Ýzkafll ls fnukad&02-08-2023 dks izkIr f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk ds tokc esa dgk x;k gS fd tkap vf/kxe ds }kjk buds fo:) xfBr vkjksiksa dks ek= dfri; lg vfHk;qDrksa ds }kjk iqfyl ds le{k fn;s x;s c;ku ds vk/kkj ij izekf.kr fd;k x;k gS] tcfd LFkkfir fof/kd O;oLFkk ;Fkk Hkkjrh; lk{; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk&25 ds vuqlkj iqfyl vf/kdkjh ds le{k LohdkjksfDr Lohdkj lk{; ugha gSA tkap vf/kxe esa iqfyl ds le{k vkjksiksa ds laca/k esa ;g vfHk;qDrksa ds c;ku ds vykok mudh lafyIrrk ds laca/k esa dqN Hkh vafdr ugha fd;k x;k gS rFkk ek= iqfyl ds le{k lg vfHk;qDrksa }kjk fn;k x;k c;ku ds vk/kkj ij buds fo:) xfBr vkjksiksa dks izekf.kr Bgjk;k tkuk fof/k vuqdwy ugha gSA Jh Ýzkafll }kjk vius tokc esa tkWp inkf/kdkjh ds le{k fn, x;s cpko c;ku ds vfrfjDr dqN u;k rF; izLrqr ugha fd;k x;k gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa muds }kjk lefiZr f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk dk tokc Lohdkj ;ksX; ugha ik;k x;k gSA 8- mi;qZDr lHkh rF;ksa ls Li'V gS fd ,d laxfBr fxjksg }kjk tkylkth djds vH;fFkZ;ksa ds vadks esa gsjkQsjh dk dk;Z fd;k x;k] ftlesa budk eq[; Hkwfedk jgk gSA buds }kjk vius in dk nq:i;ksx dj diVrkiwoZd lfefr ds vfHkys[k ds lkFk voS/k :i ls NsMNkM djrs gq, /kks[kk/kMh ls futh LokFkZ esa lfefr dks xqejkg fd;k x;k rFkk BETET&2011 ijh{kk ds ifj.kke esa dEI;wVj lsy esa la/kkfjr MkVk esa rFkk vad fu;kstu iath ds Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 9/27 lkFk NsMNkM djus esa lafyIrrk ik;k x;kA buds }kjk mDr tkylkth d`R;ksa ls lfefr dh izfr"Bk dks xgjk vk?kkr igqapk gS] tks dk;Zfgr ,oa iz'kklfud n`f'Vdks.k ls drbZ Lohdkj ;ksX; ugha gSA mudk vkpj.k ljdkjh dfeZ;ksa ds fy, cuk;h x;h vkpj.k lafgrk ds loZFkk izfrdwy gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa Jh Ýzkafll dks lfefr dh lsok esa cuk;s j[kuk lfefr ds fgr esa ugha gSA 9- vr% mi;qZDr of.kZr lHkh rF;ksa ,oa dkxtkrksa dh leh{kksijkar lE;d~ fopkjksijkar Jh ekbZdy Ýzkafll] lgk;d ¼fuyafcr½ ds }kjk f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk ds tokc dks vLohd`r dj vkns'kkuqlkj] Jh Ýzkafll dks fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr fofu;ekoyh&1964 ds v/;k;&10 dh dafMdk&50 dh mi dafMdk&¼viii½ esa fufgr izko/kku ds vkyksd esa rRdky izHkko ls lfefr dh lsok ls c[kkZLr ¼Dismissal from service½ dk naM vf/kjksfir fd;k tkrk gSA fuyacu vof/k esa Jh Ýzkafll dks thou fuokZg HkRrk ds vfrfjDr dqN Hkh ns; ugha gksxkA
7. The impugned order passed in the case of petitioner - Sujeet Kumar reads as under -
i=kad&LFkk0izs0&67@2024 fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr] iVuk dk;kZy; vkns'k Jh lqthr dqekj&1] lgk;d ¼fuyafcr½ ds }kjk fnukad&20-07- 2018 ls fcuk fdlh lwpuk@vkosnu ds dk;kZy; ls vuf/kd`r :i ls vuqifLFkr ik;s tkus ds dkj.k Kkikad&,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk muls Li"Vhdj.k dh ekax dh x;hA Jh dqekj dk fnukad&20-07- 2018 dks ,d vkosnu dk;kZy; esa izkIr gqvk] ftlesa fnukad&20-07-2018 ls 24-07-2018 rd vkdfLed vodk'k esa jgus dh lwpuk izkIr gqbZ] ftls lfefr dk;kZy; ds }kjk vLohd`r djrs gq, Li"Vhdj.k dh ekax dh x;h Fkh] ijUrq Jh dqekj }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk mRrj ugha fn;k x;k] ftlds vkjksi esa lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6090] fnukad&27-07-2018 ds }kjk Jh dqekj&1 dks fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr fofu;ekoyh&1964 ds v/;k;&10 dh dafMdk&48¼i½ ds vUrxZr rRdky izHkko ls fuyafcr djrs gq, foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds v/khu fd;k x;kA 2- mYys[kuh; gS fd dksrokyh Fkkuk dkaM la0&452@18] fnukad&19-07- 2018 esa Jh dqekj ds fo:) fxj¶rkjh dh lwpuk lk{; lfgr miyC/k djkus gsrq lfefr ds i=kad&LFkk0izs0&6292] fnukad 31-08-2018 ds }kjk Fkkuk izHkkjh] dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk dks i= izsf"kr fd;k x;k] ftlds vkyksd esa iqfyl voj fujh{kd dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk ds i=kad&Mh0vkj0ua0&1941] fnukad&19-09-2018 ds }kjk Jh dqekj dks fxj¶rkj dj fnukad 30-07-2018 ls U;kf;d fgjklr esa fy;s tkus rFkk vkn'kZ dsUnzh; dkjk csmj esa dkjk/khu esa jgus dh lwpuk izkIr gqbZA 3- mDr ds vkyksd esa Jh dqekj&1] lgk;d dks fuyafcr djus ds mijkar lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6610] fnukad&29-10-2018 ds }kjk Jh dqekj&1] lgk;d ds fo:) vkjksi i= izi= **d** esa xfBr fuEukafdr vkjksiksa dh tkap gsrq foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh lapkfyr fd;k x;k%& ¼i½ vkids }kjk fnukad&20-07-2018 ls fcuk fdlh lwpuk@vkosnu ds dk;kZy; ls vuf/kd`r :i ls vuqifLFkr gksus ds dkj.k Kkikad&,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk Li'Vhdj.k Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 10/27 dh ekax fd;k x;k] ijUrq vkids }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk tokc ugha fn;k x;kA vkidk ;g d`R; dk;kZy; ds izfr ?kksj ykijokgh] vuq'kklughurk ,oa LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA ¼ii½ vkidk fnukad&20-07-2018 dks ,d vkosnu dk;kZy; esa izkIr gqvk] ftlesa fnukad&20-07-2018 ls 24-07-2018 rd vkdfLed vodk'k esa jgus dh lwpuk izkIr gqbZ] ftls lfefr dk;kZy; esa ,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&20-07-2018 ds }kjk vLohd`r djrs gq, Li'Vhdj.k dh ekax fd;k x;k] ijUrq vkids }kjk Li'Vhdj.k dk tokc ugha fn;k x;kA vkidk ;g d`R; dk;kZy; dk;Z ds izfr ?kksj ykijokgh] vuq'kklughurk ,oa LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA ¼iii½ vkids }kjk vfHk;qDr vfer dqekj] dEI;wVj lsy ds izHkkjh ls ,d o"kZ igys laidZ dj 10 Qsy vH;fFkZ;ksa dks ikl djokus ds fy, 30 gtkj :i;k ds nj ls 3 yk[k :i;k fn;k x;kA vkids }kjk vius c;ku esa Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS fd ch0bZ0Vh0bZ0Vh0&2011 ds ijh{kkQy esa xM+cM+h djkus ds fy, 10 Qsy vH;kfFkZ;ksa dks ikl djkus ds fy, jbZl vgen ls 4 yk[k 50 gtkj :i;k fy;k x;k] ftlesa ls 3 yk[k :i;k dEI;wVj MkVk esa lq/kkj djus gsrq ,oa izek.k i= cukus gsrq vfer dqekj dks fn;k x;k rFkk 'ks'k 1 yk[k ipkl gtkj :i;k vius ikl j[k fy;k x;kA ¼iv½ iqfyl voj fujh{kd dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk ds le{k vkids }kjk ch0bZ0Vh0bZ0Vh0&2011 ds ijh{kkQy esa Qsy Nk=ksa dks ikl djkus ds ,ot esa 10 vH;kfFkZ;ksa ls yh x;h jkf'k ls lacaf/kr vH;kfFkZ;ksa dk dksM&31 crk;k x;kA lkFk gh vkidks U;kf;d fgjklr esa j[kk x;kA ¼v½ vkidk mijksDr vkpj.k fcgkj ljdkjh lsod vkpj.k fu;ekoyh&1976 ds fu;e&3¼1½ ,oa 3¼2½ ds vuq:i ugha gSA 4- Jh dqekj&1 }kjk ekuuh; mPp U;k;ky;] iVuk esa nk;j okn la0&Criminal Miscellaneous No-61689@18 esa fnukad&29-10-2018 dks ikfjr U;k;kns'k ds vkyksd esa fnukad&31-10-2018 dks U;kf;d fgjklr ls fjgk gksdj Jh dqekj&1 }kjk fnukad&01-11-2018 dks lfefr dk;kZy; esa ;ksxnku gsrq vkosnu lefiZr fd;k x;k rFkk lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6808] fnukad&11-12-2018 ds }kjk fcgkj ljdkjh lsod ¼oxhZdj.k] fu;a=.k ,oa vihy½ fu;ekoyh&2005 ds fu;e&9¼3½ ¼i½ esa fufgr izko/kku ds vUrxZr lfefr dk;kZy; esa Jh dqekj&1 }kjk fn;s x;s ;ksxnku dh frfFk fnukad&01-11-2018 ds izHkko ls ;ksxnku Lohd`r djrs gq, fuyacu ls eqDr fd;k x;kA 5- Jh dqekj&1 ds fo:) dksrokyh Fkkuk] iVuk dkaM la0&452@18] fnukad&19-07-2018 vUos"k.k esa jgus rFkk muds fo:) foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh lapkfyr jgus ds vkjksi esa lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&6809] fnukad&11- 12-2018 }kjk fcgkj ljdkjh lsod ¼oxhZdj.k] fu;a=.k ,oa vihy½ fu;ekoyh&2005 ds fu;e&9¼3½ ¼ii½ esa fufgr izko/kku ds vUrxZr Jh dqekj&1 dks lfefr dk;kZy; esa ;ksxnku dh frfFk fnukad&01-11-2018 ds izHkko ls iqu% fuyafcr djrs gq, foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh ds v/khu fd;k x;kA 6- mDr foHkkxh; dk;Zokgh esa lapkyu inkf/kdkjh ds i=kad&fu0ls0&208] fnukad&30-06-2023 }kjk tkWp izfrosnu lefiZr fd;k x;k] ftlesa Jh dqekj&1 ds fo:) tkap inkf/kdkjh dk earO; gS fd izFke vkjksi vkjksih }kjk fnukad&20-07-2018 dks vuf/kd`r :i ls vuqifLFkr gksus rFkk Li'Vhdj.k dk tokc ugha nsus ds laca/k esa gSA bl Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 11/27 laca/k esa budk dguk gS fd bUgksaus vkdfLed vodk'k dk vkosnu ns fn;k Fkk rFkk vkosnu ds vLohd`r gksus ds ckjs esa dksbZ lwpuk izkIr ugha gqvk] tks vlarks'ktud gS rFkk fu;eksa ds izfrdwy gSA fcgkj lsok lafgrk fu;e&152 ds vkyksd esa NqV~Vh dks vf/kdkj ds :i esa iz;ksx ugha fd;k tk ldrk gSA ljdkj ds fofHkUu i=ksa }kjk bls Li'V fd;k x;k gS fd fu;a=h inkf/kdkjh ls NqV~Vh Lohd`r djkdj gh fdlh dehZ dks eq[;ky; NksMuk pkfg,A fcuk NqV~Vh Lohd`r djk;s eq[;ky; NksM nsuk vkSj ;g vis{kk djuk fd vLohd`fr muds ?kj ij lalwfpr fd;k tk;] fcYdqy LosPNkpkfjrk dk |ksrd gSA vkjksi la0&03 ,oa 04 iqfyl voj fujh{kd dksrokyh Fkkuk ds izfrosnu ds vk/kkj ij xfBr fd;k x;k gS] ftlesa dkaM la0&452@18 esa uketn vfHk;qDr vfer dqekj ds c;ku ds vk/kkj ij vkjksih dks fxj¶rkj fd;k x;kA idMs x;s vfHk;qDr vfer dqekj] dEI;wVj lsy izHkkjh }kjk LohdkjksfDr c;ku esa crk;k x;k fd ,d o"kZ igys fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr esa lgk;d ¼leLrhiqj ijh{kk 'kk[kk½ lqthr dqekj us 10 Qsy vH;fFkZ;ksa dks ikl djokus ds fy, 30 gtkj :i;s dh nj ls 3 yk[k :i;k fn;k FkkA vkjksih us vius LohdkjksfDr c;ku esa crk;k fd BETET&2011 ijh{kk ds ifj.kke esa gqbZ /kka/kyh@xMcMh esa vkjksih ds } kjk 10 Qsy vH;fFkZ;ksa dks ikl djokus ds fy, jbZl vgen ls 4 yk[k 50 gtkj :i;k fy;k] ftlesa ls 3 yk[k dEI;wVj MkVk esa lq/kkj ,oa izek.k i= cukus gsrq vfer dqekj dks fn;k vkSj 1 yk[k 50 gtkj :i;k vius ikl j[k fy;k] lkFk gh vH;fFkZ;ksa dk dksM&31 crk;kA bl lanHkZ esa vius Li"Vhdj.k esa vkjksih us crk;k gS fd vfer dqekj ls budk dksbZ laca/k ugha jgk gS rFkk jbZl vgen ds uke ds O;fDr dks Hkh ugha tkurs gSA iqfyl }kjk vfHkdFku ij tcju gLrk{kj djk fy;k x;kA lkFk gh iwjd Li"Vhdj.k esa bUgksaus vius leFkZu esa ;g Hkh crk;k gS fd iqfyl us bl dkaM ds nyky frokjh ds dkWy fMVsy dh tkap dh] ftlesa buds lkFk dksbZ ckrphr ugha gqvk gSA bUgksaus ;g Hkh crk;k fd iqfyl vfHkj{kk esa fn;s c;ku dks lk{; ds :i esa ugha ekuk tkuk pkfg,] ijUrq ;g lR; gS fd BETET&2011 ds ijh{kkQy esa xM+cM+h fd;k x;k vkSj tkap lfefr us xM+cM+h ds lk{; ik,A f=&lnL;h; lfefr us ik;k fd f'kdk;r i= esa vafdr 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds laca/k esa vkjksi dh tkap esa ik;k x;k fd blls lacaf/kr dEI;wVj lsy esa la/kkfjr MkVk esa fjtYV izkslslj ls izkIr djk;s x;s ewy lh0Mh0 ds MkVk ls ifjofrZr ik;k x;k gSA lkFk gh bl f'kdk;r i= esa vafdr 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa esa 10 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds ijh{kkQy ls lacaf/kr vad fu;kstu iath ¼Mh0Vh0vkj0½ dk iUuk cnydj u;k iUuk rS;kj djkdj ftYncan fd;k gqvk Hkh ik;k x;k gSA vkjksih dk dguk gS fd iqfyl us tcjnLrh vfHkdFku ij gLrk{kj djk fy;k Hkh ekU; ugha gSA bUgsa ,slh fLFkfr esa lk{; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk&164 ds vUrxZr U;k;ky; esa viuk c;ku ntZ djkuk pkfg, Fkk] ijUrq buds }kjk ,slk ugha fd;k x;kA vr% bl rjg ds dEI;wVj MkVk csl esa NsM+NkM+ djokus] ijh{kkQy cnyokus] /kka/kyh djkus dh lkft'k esa budh lafyIrrk ls badkj ugha fd;k tk ldrk gSA budk vkpj.k lansg ls ijs ugha gSA bl izdkj vkjksih Jh lqthr dqekj&1 ds fo:) xfBr dqy&05 vkjksiksa esa ls vkjksi la0&01] 02 ,oa 05 izekf.kr ik;s x;s rFkk vkjksi la0&03 ,oa 04 ds fy, Hkh nks'keqDr ugha fd;k x;k gSA 7- mDr tkap izfrosnu esa Jh dqekj&1 ds fo:) xfBr dqy&05 vkjksiksa esa ls vkjksi la0&01] 02 ,oa 05 izekf.kr ik;s x;s rFkk vkjksi la0&03 ,oa 04 ds fy, Hkh nks'keqDr ugha ik;s tkus ds QyLo:i tkWp Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 12/27 izfrosnu dh izfr layXu djrs gq, lfefr ds Kkikad&LFkk0izs0&807] fnukad 04-07-2023 }kjk Jh dqekj&1 ls f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk dh ekax dh x;hA 8- Jh dqekj&1 ls fnukad&19-07-2023 dks izkIr f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk ds tokc esa dgk x;k gS fd fnukad&20-07-2018 ls 24-07-2018 rd vkdfLed vodk'k dk vkosnu nsdj vfrvko';d ifjokfjd dk;Zo'k dk;kZy; ls vuqifLFkr jgsaA tgka rd i=kad&,y0ih0&5364] fnukad&23- 07-2018 ds }kjk vkosnu vLohd`r djrs gq, Li'Vhdj.k dh ekax dh x;h] og i= eq>s gLrxr ugha djk;k x;k gSA vkdfLed vodk'k ds laca/k esa Li'V djuk gS fd vpkud vkdfLed ifjfLFkfr esa fdlh Hkh ljdkjh lsod }kjk Hksts x;s vkdfLed vodk'k ds vkosnu ij Lohd`fr izkIr fd;k tkuk O;ogkfjd :i ls vlaHko izrhr gksrk gSA Jh vfer dqekj }kjk buds mij yxk;s x;s vkjksi ls fyf[kr :i ls badkj fd;k x;kA buds Lohd`fr c;ku dks iqfyl }kjk 'kkjhfjd ,oa ekufld :i ls izrkfM+r dj vius <ax ls ys[ku dj tcju gLrk{kj djk;k x;k] tcfd lk{; vf/kfu;e&1872 ds v/;k;&2 ist&12 ds dze la[;k&26 esa bldk Li'V mYys[k gS fd iqfyl vfHkj{kk esa nh x;h c;ku dh ekU;rk ugha nh x;h gSA f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk esa 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds ekeys esa budh lafyIrrk n'kkZ;k x;k gS] ftlds laca/k esa f=&lnL;h; lfefr ds tkap esa ik;k gS fd 16 vH;kfFkZ;ksa dk fjtYV izkslslj ls izkIr djk;s x;s ewy lh0Mh0 ,oa MkVkcsl ls ifjorZu ik;k x;k lkFk gh 16 esa ls 10 vH;fFkZ;ksa dk Mh0Vh0vkj0 dk iUuk psat dj ftYncan ik;k x;k gSA bl izdj.k esa dkaM la0&452@18 esa rFkkdfFkr ¼nyky½ fot; dqekj frokjh dks iqfyl }kjk fxj¶rkj fd;k x;k] nyky us vius c;ku esa ftu 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa dk uke fy;k gS] ewy lh0Mh0 ,oa MkVkcsl esa NsM+NkM+ ik;kA blesa ls 10 vH;fFkZ;ksa dk Mh0Vh0vkj0 dk iUuk psat dj ftYncan ik;k x;k gSA og lHkh 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa dk frokjh }kjk vius iz'ukoyh esa uke Li'V :i ls vafdr fd;k x;k gS] tks f=&lnL;h; dfeVh dh tkap ls feyrk gS rFkk mDr 16 vH;fFkZ;ksa ds ekeys esa fpfUgr rFkk fdu&fdu dfeZ;ksa dh lafyIrrk gS] muds Lohd`fr c;ku ls Li'V gksrk gS fd tSls MkVk vkfn esa lq/kkj] Mh0Vh0vkj0 iUuk psat dj ftYncan fd;k x;k] mu lHkh dfeZ;ksa dk uke frokjh }kjk iz'ukoyh fpfUgr fd;s x;s lHkh dfeZ;ksa dk iqfyl }kjk dkWy fMVsYl dh tkap dh x;h] tks lgh ik;k x;kA ftlesa budk uke mYys[k ugha gSA Jh dqekj&1 }kjk vius tokc esa tkWp inkf/kdkjh ds le{k fn, x;s cpko c;ku ds vfrfjDr dqN u;k rF; izLrqr ugha fd;k x;k gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa muds }kjk lefiZr f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk dk tokc Lohdkj ;ksX; ugha ik;k x;k gSA 9- mi;qZDr lHkh rF;ksa ls Li'V gS fd buds }kjk vius in dk nq:i;ksx dj diVrkiwoZd lfefr ds vfHkys[k ds lkFk voS/k :i ls NsMNkM djrs gq, /kks[kk/kMh ls futh LokFkZ esa lfefr dks xqejkg fd;k x;k rFkk BETET&2011 ijh{kk ds ifj.kke esa dEI;wVj lsy esa la/kkfjr MkVk esa rFkk vad fu;kstu iath ds lkFk NsMNkM djus esa lafyIrrk ik;k x;kA buds }kjk mDr tkylkth d`R;ksa ls lfefr dh izfr"Bk dks xgjk vk?kkr igqapk gS] tks dk;Zfgr ,oa iz'kklfud n`f'Vdks.k ls drbZ Lohdkj ;ksX; ugha gSA mudk vkpj.k ljdkjh dfeZ;ksa ds fy, cuk;h x;h vkpj.k lafgrk ds loZFkk izfrdwy gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa Jh dqekj&1 dks lfefr dh lsok esa cuk;s j[kuk lfefr ds fgr esa ugha gSA 10- vr% mi;qZDr of.kZr lHkh rF;ksa ,oa dkxtkrksa dh leh{kksijkar lE;d~ fopkjksijkar Jh lqthr dqekj&1] lgk;d ¼fuyafcr½ ds }kjk lefiZr f}rh; dkj.k i`PNk ds tokc dks vLohd`r dj vkns'kkuqlkj] Jh dqekj&1 dks fcgkj fo|ky; ijh{kk lfefr fofu;ekoyh&1964 ds v/;k;&10 dh Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 13/27 dafMdk&50 dh mi dafMdk&¼vi½ esa fufgr izko/kku ds vkyksd esa rRdky izHkko ls lfefr dh lsok ls vfuok;Z lsokfuo`fr ¼Compulsory Retirement½ dk naM fn;k tkrk gSA fuyacu vof/k esa Jh dqekj&1 dks thou fuokZg HkRrk ds vfrfjDr dqN Hkh ns; ugha gksxkA
8. Thereafter, both the petitioners preferred appeals against the impugned order of punishment before the Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board. However, since the aforesaid appeals were not being decided, the petitioners moved this Court in C.W.J.C. No.6839 of 2024 (petitioner- Michael Francis) and C.W.J.C. No.6940 of 2024 (petitioner - Sujeet Kumar). A coordinate Bench of this Court vide orders dated 28.11.2024 and 12.12.2024 respectively disposed of the said writ petitions with a direction to the respondent authorities to decided the appeals preferred by the petitioners. Thereafter, the aforesaid appeals came to be dismissed by the appellate authority vide impugned orders dated 19.12.2024 and 08.01.2025.
9. Learned Senior counsel for the petitioners, at the outset, submits that the disciplinary proceeding conducted in the case of the present petitioners suffers from grave procedural errors, inasmuch as, despite making an express request for the list of documents based on which the charges have been levelled against the petitioners, no such document was ever provided to the petitioners.
Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 14/27
10. Learned Senior counsel for the petitioners further submits that the memo of charge does not contain the list of witnesses or the list of documents, which is in complete violation of Rule 17(3) of the Bihar CCA Rules, 2005 and the same has caused prejudiced to the petitioners in reasonably defending themselves.
11. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners has categorically submitted that the F.I.R. bearing Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 was registered on the basis of the preliminary enquiry conducted by a Three Men Committee comprising of the Chief Vigilance Officer, who subsequently, was appointed as the Enquiry Officer in the disciplinary proceedings. It is, therefore, the submission of learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that since the aforesaid officer had already conducted the preliminary enquiry, he could not have acted in the capacity of Enquiry Officer in the department proceeding as it is well settled that no one should be a Judge in his own cause (nemo judex in causa sua). The Enquiry Officer, in the departmental proceeding, has placed considerable reliance on the preliminary report prepared by Three Men Committee constituted by the Board, which is thoroughly misplaced since the aforesaid report itself was prepared by the Chief Vigilance Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 15/27 Officer himself, who has now stepped into the shoes of Enquiry Officer and was in fact enquiring into his own report.
12. It has been submitted by learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that the written statement of defense was required to be considered by the disciplinary authority before initiating the departmental proceeding but, in the present case, no such written statement/defence of the petitioner was sought by the disciplinary authority and it is the Enquiry Officer, who for the first time, directed the petitioner to submit his defence, which is in violation of Rule-17(4) of the Bihar CCA Rules, 2005.
13. Lastly, it has been submitted by learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that the Enquiry Officer has placed heavy reliance on the confessional statement of accused-
Vijay Kumar Tiwari @ Tiwari and his statement was recorded in the form of questionnaire while he was in police custody, but the petitioners have not been afforded an opportunity to cross-
examine the aforesaid witness during the departmental proceeding. Further, call records between the petitioners and the accused of Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 forms a central basis for arriving at a finding of guilt in the departmental proceeding, however, the call records have neither been Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 16/27 produced much less proved in the departmental proceeding.
14. By making the aforesaid submissions, it has been argued by the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that the disciplinary proceedings leading to dismissal and voluntary retirement of the petitioners respectively suffers from grave procedural lapses and deserves to be quashed.
15. Per contra, it has been submitted by learned counsel for the Bihar School Examination Board that no prejudice was caused to the petitioners in the enquiry proceeding as they were afforded sufficient opportunity to defend their cases in line with the principles of natural justice and only thereafter, the punishment has been imposed upon the petitioners.
16. In the counter affidavits filed by the answering respondents, the facts leading to initiation of departmental proceeding and punishment of the petitioners have been mentioned. Apart from the aforesaid facts, it has been stated that initially the petitioners were issued show-cause notices for their unauthorized absence from their duties, to which the petitioner did not respondent. Thereafter, it was detected that a fraud was committed upon the Board and by adopting fraudulent means changes were made in the tabulation Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 17/27 register and computer data containing the result of BETET, 2011 and accordingly, the F.I.R. was instituted against some accused person including the employees of the Board. In course of the investigation of F.I.R., some persons were arrested, who disclosed the names of the petitioners to be involved in the fraudulent changes in the result of BETET, 2011. Thereafter in contemplation of the disciplinary proceeding, the petitioners were suspended and memo of charge was served to them. After following due process of law, the punishment has been awarded to the petitioners considering the gravity of the charges.
17. It has also been stated in the counter affidavit that the impugned orders have been passed strictly in accordance with the statutory Regulations of the Bihar School Examination Board. The Board, being an autonomous body, is constituted under the Bihar School Examination Board Act, 1952. Section 17 of the aforesaid Act deals with the power of the Board to make Regulation consistent with the Act and accordingly, Regulations had been framed by the Board i.e. the Bihar School Examination Board Regulation, 1964. Further, chapter X of the aforesaid Regulation deals with service statutes for its employees wherein under Regulation 28 provides that save as otherwise provided in the Regulation the provisions of Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 18/27 Bihar Service Code and Government Servant Conduct Rules, mutatis mutandis will apply to the employees of the Board.
18. So far as the contention of the petitioners that the memo of charge was defective in absence of list of witnesses is concerned, it has been submitted that the disciplinary proceeding against the petitioner was conducted in terms of Regulation of the Board and the petitioner was served with a detailed charge sheet and they have been given ample opportunity to defend their cases in the inquiry.
19. I have considered the submissions of the parties and perused the materials on record.
20. From the records, it appears that a departmental proceeding was initiated against the petitioners primarily on the allegation that they were unauthorizedly absent from their duties and for their involvement/role in tempering with the results of the BETET, 2011, for which a criminal case bearing Kotwali P.S. Case No.452 of 2018 was also registered.
21. From the perusal of the memo of charge and enquiry report, it appears that the accused persons in the aforesaid F.I.R. in their statements have taken the name of these petitioners to be specifically involved in tampering with the result. Further, the Enquiry Officer has also placed reliance on Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 19/27 the call records of the accused persons, however, the same has neither been produced nor proved in the departmental proceeding. Moreover, the memo of charge issued to the petitioners does not contain the list of witnesses and the petitioners were not afforded an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses who had been questioned by way of a questionnaire in the police custody.
22. The Bihar CCA Rules, 2005 provides for mandatory statutory safeguards, such as, providing list of witness and documents in support of the charges while framing a memo of charge. Further, in the departmental proceeding, the delinquent may cross-examine the witness(s).
23. The Chapter - X of the Bihar School Examination Board Regulations, 1964 deals with service Statute. Regulation 54 provides for framing of memorandum of charges and holding of oral enquiry. A coordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Jagdish Sah vs. State of Bihar & Ors.
reported as 2011 SCC OnLine Pat 1148 had the occasion to consider the aforesaid Regulations of the Board in a similar circumstances where mandatory procedures were not followed.
The coordinate Bench had categorically held that even under the Regulations of the Board, the memo of charge must be Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 20/27 accompanied with the list of documents and list of witnesses.
24. The relevant paragraphs of the aforesaid judgment in the case of Jagdish Sah (supra) read as under:-
"12. It may be appropriate at this stage to consider Regulations 53 and 54(a) & (b), which are quoted below:-
"53. Procedure for punishment.-- When an employee is charged with an offence, every opportunity should be given to defend himself and following procedure should be strictly observed
(a) A memo of charges should be issued against him;
(b) A written statement of the defence if any offered should be obtained from him;
(c) An oral enquiry should be held, in respect of cases involving the penalty of reduction, removal or dismissal from service, and
(d) An order should be passed embodying the findings of the punishing authority.
54. Framing of Memorandum of charges :
holding of oral enquiry and drafting of punishment order.--
(a) The following instructions should be observed in framing a memorandum of charges-- (1) The grounds on which it is proposed to take action Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 21/27 against an employee should be reduced to the form of definite charge or charges.
(2) A statement of the allegations
on which each charge is
based and of any other
circumstances which it is
proposed to take into
consideration in passing
orders on the case, should
invariably be recorded in
the memorandum. In no
circumstances, however,
should an opinion or
anything that can be
constructed as an opinion
as to the guilt of the
employee appear in the
memorandum.
(3) The employee should be
required, within a
reasonable time to be
specified in the
memorandum, to put in a
written statement of his
defence. He should also be
required to state whether he
desires to be heard in
person, in respect of cases
involving the punishment of
reduction, removal or
Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 22/27 dismissal from service.
(b) The circumstances in which an oral enquiry has to be held and the manner in which it should be conducted, are detailed below:--
(1) If the employee who has been
charged with an offence
involving the punishment of
reduction, removal or
dismissal from service,
desires to be heard in
person, an oral enquiry
must be held. It is also open
to the punishing authority
to direct that an oral
enquiry should be held,
even if the employee does
not ask for it.
(2) At the oral enquiry it is
incumbent on the authority
concerned to have oral
evidence as to such of the
allegations as are not
admitted and to give the
employee charged an
opportunity (a) to cross-
examine the witnesses, (b)
to give evidence in person,
and (c) to have such
witnesses called as he may
wish provided that the
officer conducting the
Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 23/27 enquiry may, for special and sufficient reason to be recorded in writing refuse to call a witness.
(3) The proceeding of the oral enquiry should be reduced to writing and be signed by the enquiring officer and the employee charged."
13. It is evident from the aforesaid statutory regulations that issuance of memo of charge is a mandatory requirement therein and the requirement of submitting list of witnesses and list of documents on which the employer proposes to rely in proving the said charge follow as a matter of course. It is also provided that an oral enquiry should be held where the punishment of reduction, removal or dismissal from service are involved.
14. The submission of learned counsel for the respondent Board that the petitioner had waived the requirement by not stating in his written statement of defence or thereafter that he desires to be heard in person has no legs to stand in view of the mandatory nature of the provisions regarding holding of oral enquiry. It is not for the proceedee to suo motu state as to whether he wishes to be heard in person but for the disciplinary authority to ensure that he is required to state whether he desires to be heard in person where a major punishment is to be given to him. There is nothing in the material on Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 24/27 the record to show that the petitioner was ever required to state whether he desires to be heard in person. In fact, it has been kept open to the punishing authority to direct that oral enquiry should be held even if the employee does not ask for it. Thus it is evident from the said provisions that the requirement of oral enquiry in case of major punishment is to be treated as mandatory unless the employee on being given an opportunity specifically states that he does not desire to be heard in person. There is nothing on the record to show that the petitioner at any time has stated that he did not desire to be heard in person. In the said circumstances, there can be no question of any waiver by the petitioner of a right which he was at no time asked to exercise in terms of the statutory provisions.
15. Moreover, this Court is of the view that it cannot be held in the present case that any departmental enquiry for major punishment has been held. It is only in the case of minor punishment that a show cause may be asked from an employee and upon receipt of his reply the disciplinary authority may pass an order inflicting punishment on not being satisfied with the same but when a major punishment is to be inflicted it is incumbent upon the enquiry officer to fix a date directing the petitioner to appear before him and even if the employer does not intend to examine any witness and to rely only upon documents, the petitioner must be given an opportunity to show that those Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 25/27 documents did not point towards his guilt and cannot be relied upon in support of the charge. In the present matter, no such notice was issued to the petitioner to appear before the enquiry officer and everything has been done behind the back of the petitioner depriving him of the opportunity to examine and assail the documents which have been relied upon by the enquiry officer and also the opportunity to produce his own witnesses or to give evidence in person. Thus, the enquiry proceedings have to be held to be vitiated and not to be relied upon for passing any order of punishment.
16. Lastly, there is substantial force in the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner that the documents which were not mentioned in the charge memo cannot be relied upon for holding the charges to be proved. It is evident that in the present matter the petitioner was not made aware of the documents on which the respondent-Board intended to rely upon for proving the charges as no list of documents was supplied to the petitioner either with the charge memo or at any subsequent stage. In this regard, it makes no difference that the petitioner had perused certain documents. Thus the findings of the enquiry officer has to be held to be based on no evidence. The petitioner having been unaware of the documents, in the light of the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Kuldeep Singh (supra), all those documents have to be Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 26/27 excluded from consideration and they cannot be relied upon or even referred to by the disciplinary authority."
25. Therefore, it is patently clear that both under the Bihar CCA Rules, 2005 as well as under the Regulations of 1964, it is mandatory that the memo of charge must accompany the list of documents as well as list of witnesses in support of the charges. It is also clear that the opportunity to the delinquent to cross-examine the witnesses is necessary to uphold the fairness and non-arbitrariness in the departmental proceedings.
However, in the present case, neither the memo of charge contains the list of witness/documents nor the petitioners were given an opportunity to cross-examine the witness(s), who had deposed against them. Moreover, the call records which was relied heavily in the enquiry report is neither produced nor proved in the departmental proceedings. Therefore, this Court is of the considered opinion that on the aforesaid grounds the disciplinary proceeding stands vitiated.
26. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Ram Prakash Singh, reported in 2025 SCC OnLine SC 891 has held once a departmental proceeding is found to be vitiated on procedural grounds and the Court sets aside an order of punishment then the correct course Patna High Court CWJC No.3604 of 2025 dt.09-01-2026 27/27 would be to remit back the matter for fresh consideration.
27. For the foregoing reasons, the impugned orders of punishment contained in memo nos. 66 and 67 dated 16.01.2024 as well as the appellate orders dated 19.12.2024 and 08.01.2025 are quashed in both the cases. The matter is remanded back to the respondent-Board for fresh consideration of the matter from the stage of issuance of memo of charge.
28. With the aforesaid observations and directions, these writ petitions are allowed to the above extent.
(Sandeep Kumar, J) pawan/-
AFR/NAFR N.A.F.R. CAV DATE 13.10.2025 Uploading Date 09.01.2026 Transmission Date