Sri K Sippe Gowda vs The High Court Of Karnataka on 31 March, 2011

[Cites 0, Cited by 0]

Karnataka High Court

Sri K Sippe Gowda vs The High Court Of Karnataka on 31 March, 2011

Bench: Anand Byrareddy

3
EN "E"'HEi §*IIGH CL) ¥j¥~'.'§" OF K£\RE\"AT.AKA AT BANGALG REE
.{;},-'~"CE".{iEZ3! THES THE ;%'}§9%E3;\X' (I) F .TVL5\RCI'I' 20E I

BEFC)RE:

THE. HONBLE MR. JUSTICE. ANAND B'r'E{;f§I{'§i.1}..}:;§'*}}' n

WR.£_T PE'rrrz'(>N No. 26158 ca}: 20{)%5h  A}  " 1 '

BETVVEEN:

Sh:-i. K. Sippe G0wda.=

Ageci 53 years. V -  

S/'o Lam: Chikkzz }:':w":;11'e' *3'-vviriiai,  T_
High Court 01"Karnz-rzakal,  A  

Bazagalogfej  3 V '-- --

_Residi3j1g at Dziér  

3"' stag-,, 4"' B.ldﬁ:3{';~-  T " 

Basaveshw:;1'ra1121g;1f;     

Banga1_ore': .M56a:) me). '     ._. PETITIONERS

 V. '_ (B__\_*'"'S131?'SL§bTzEETi21'H)7_3a§Ef»»)iS, Seni<>1iAdx«'c)L:aHt:}

 in ffviié High Cmlrt of KarnaL:1_1<a

'  Baingalme - 560 001

  R€:pre.<;e2";te.cE by i§:_«;

R<a:gi:;£ra1.a" Gene:-:11.



 Eaw {.'»f,<3;;:, 

Ev

The H<_:::1°bE:'-as *C.'.§1ic:f .§L1:s;tic::: mm
Thfii .I)is<:ipI%_:1;1.1'y AuI%1<>1'.i§:,i,,
High Cour: <)i'K;1r11a1ta1kz1*
BL1t1g£k}(}1"E: ~« 560 {)0 '1 .
Représseniraci by its .Regist1*a:rf,

{Arnwded as per court. (3E"d€E"
diitﬁd ;29.(T)5.2{)06_}

La.)

The Regisi1"2,1':' (Ju'dic:i:.-1E)
High Court of K:.=u'11;1t.21k:L

Bz1nga1'l0:'e~56O0O'i. I§'E..SiP~£)NI)EN,TS' '   

{By Shri. S.S. Naggalmnd, Se:-rnior /i£:f.y_{)'c;;te) " v
This was Petitioh__."'~i.s ﬂied. L1':1d.3f'*.ArticI_e 226 of the
Consiitution of Inclia, ;3ra1§,rin'§;_tQ 'r:}1i»I  __f£:Cc)I'ds miaiting to

concerning z111d_<'c_u1_:1ecte:d wiﬁiiihe.iﬁi}:gugf1é§i 01'de1's bearing Nos"

D.E5/()4:,:Vvda1ft: d ' AnI1CXL§1'C'A and order No.
HCE.1222/:Zt}O4wD}§'§Qf5f2_Q04.--d2:ted 12.09.2005 was Annexur€:.~

B, peruse the"-«$211113 a':_1d\<1gu.a~s:'ié the said. o_rde:'s as unsustainable in

 '  "  having been heard and 1'e.sc*:1'ved an "i 0.()3.2U '1 E

21nd Cmin_ii1g--"(fn.1361' ;:>1'<>n<_)L:.ncemem of 01"de.1's this day, the Courﬁ

_ dei ivé.1"::d V'-th<:'1'1$}E<_)w.%.:f1g:«w



(J)

C1 R D  R
H<:;u'<:f the kzmntzd <:<">:.m;s':-3.1 for [hit pzzrties.

2. The fatcsh; bz"ic3ﬂ},,-' :_~;¥:atc::d are 21:»; f(_)_iJ<)ws;:~

The petitismer E12-id _jm'n<::d tbs s~;cr'véc:s;::s: ;c>=f7. j:h.:_i' ijfifszt

:'es;p<'32§dc:nt on E4.2. 1972 as 21 Secorni IJ_i\»'i5si0:':A-:ss;_i'$€;11it.}111(;i '.&;-':i,s~.

p:"1:«m()tt:d to the €£'ddI'<3S of First .Divisi.tm A,sst5~:i;§i21r:1'TL. 'A.SE:i.s:'21f1$--.Cé::;;;1.'t

0ff'ice1f and Court C)ffiCer in. tﬁe«-..ye21r§'~v.f9?9, --5i9V94', 

:"es_peciive%y. it £5; a:iai1*ne.d_ that ih:_:___;_3V:c=:~t.i':i'o_13.e£' h£1§'l;'P:.{3d§1.Ii€d service

without any blemish ovéi' 'theV(i€%'C;1déS; : a 7}n.e pet'iti(me.r also

€()I}t{:{3dk€:,V' ::h--.':1t    the Joint Sec:'eta1'y of the

K'am_ataka Skate G<ui/'tEt'11m"€nf..'L'Ena_;3}.0ye.es Association in the year

~ . &_I978V_~&5::1(i Vthatuiue w*2i's«2:._.Inc:1nbe1fofthe. Exe<:1.1tive Committee. of the

HsaigiA"A3SU.ci'z:f;i'<>;i'~ar1d thczreaﬁelg was elected as the General

S<:<.f1*=s,=r__€:.'z'i%;A"3»'   hsld that positim ii}! December 1994. In

  '_L'«,1nuary "3  he  said to have been eiected as the Pre.~;:idc::11t of
 I31?"A'S_t§.{J(§i£i17i()I§. In [ha yeztz" 2€.'}(}2.; he was zxgaixl :éE_¢:g:t'r:<;i 2:5,»: the

 »;:v.re:éide11t <'>fth.<3 A,'¥§:§(}C§£iii0I1. E: c:1:;1im<--:<;i {hi-ii; the A:<sz><:ia1i.§e>r1 E62215: 3

{gm



 ; h()11;:§';"

4%

nf1<:zmE3c':1'sh%p of:-:}.:.1r1<3.~;:  kzkh <:1n.p1<>y:3:;:§; tE*m>ugEz 0:21 the Staie 0?'

K2-2t*112:ta1i;u with 182 %>z"z111c:I'1ssa.

It is <:oz*:ie11ded by the petitirmazi" t}1:3,t 213 am 0f_'fi'ic:e3.~b_¢:z1t'{:r of

{he Associaiioah he 'M15; 1"equi.1'c3d to 2-xztand {(3 the p1'a>b}'§é'11*:.'s{"'Qf"the

G<)vermfneni t:I1_?s_pI('fsyet3s; in various <1:3pa1;":1n<::3£;_§..'_  

Ihe1"efc>1'<: 2:. n<3<:e.<;s'-21ry zmmbtzxr of v;1r:i'(>iiS"SLIb«;i;c}1nmi't:'i€c:§,V'whiéh

were constiiuted by the Ass0ciu.§i0.n '£412: ':1gidressV.",~:h;<:" f1L111.'*.:_e.fc=u$p

f§I'i€V£iﬂC{":S of its mexnbers. It is i1i'""~,<'jéw' of t_h€.a€;'ti_Ve if;v(_>IVe:nent
of the pe£;it£oncr in the 21ff£:i:'s (__§f {.336 "Sjc'i'i.(j ASS£)CiE1fi0ﬂ, thai the

1'esp()11deniL§.TVz1::...¢;1r13,:"'§1'$§ _i'r:,{he ye_zﬁ7'i99i, had grante.d 21 general
perm.i_ssi0i:. to'-ihe ='his; z'ep1'eser1taI:'0n, that he could
atterld _:<>, the activities ()f'1'11é ASSOCi2iti(}I] evem during the 0ﬁ'icc:

 T1}€'_}E5Q.f;§.{i{3:fif3-E' iaewevea' wasi; placeci under s:,1s;p<:11s;i(>n by an

.<)rde.r""d21tc.d E'S:}2.2(')()4. in c:(.).nté:3mpEati<>n of djscipiinmy alastésm.

"T116 ¥p::_tiiidnc3r was posied to wcurik under the Assistztait Re.gisi'x';-,u"

-{fin ??v=§_FAﬁ 1f)<t<::"c3e.~I'}, R_e<:01'{.i R00m~«I.E zmai {he Si1§}I"t',IE}t3 Cour:

ii



'?:Av~

brziiiches. He W;-is; U§Ed.€-3" {ha {'m=:i"~:ii1 zieiiiiiziigiiiiiiiuii. <:0§::;;'"<>E and
§5up:.3.:'vis.i.0n oi' the R.€giSU'£i1' (,}1,1<ii<.:ia1'), Hifgh Coin": of E{21.rzi21E;1i<2i.
it  aliciged {Em ha WELIS i1'I'€3fgU}3.I' in a¥;tc:ri_d;ii::<:<3 2-mci wx~:;_ in {he

habit of Ieaviiig his W(')%"}{ pizuje aftcaif maz'E<i1a.g £11J1;€;',I"it1Vi.;l.]_]_.i€3:l3 VMid was

nail 21*»-*aiEa1b'ie. to zissigii ziny W(}§"k.. Wh<:zf: c;Vué§s£.i<)n::§ii '¢fJ:;' E~?1§.3 

R€gisi1'a17 {.3'u(iiciz1i), about his derelic§i<'>1i qi"dj:.1£'}f-. if was gligt

he had f1'()wnc:d at him E',1i"i'("Ig.£i{3ﬂ§/ ziﬁd 'Cf)i3{iTTVE2§Li¥{ESI§_«' faiglzcid 

discharge his duties'
Tiiis; hziV'ii'1g biacn :n_~i;ugi'ii it.}'§i'1'if'-.i1UiiC¢ of the Hoaiomabkz

Chief J ustice, [i"iE)"Chi6f .f!1i'st'ic?{3"& lizid._"d,.i1'cif':e§i' iiiiat he be posted to

C0ui'{--l1_a_1i 1.10_.1if  3113' ..Ad-iiviiicynzal C0113': Offi.<:e1' and accordingly, a
Memo d£1*:ed«'i8.E2.'2F)'C'éi' 'w;is»».ss:1'Ved on him. After' receiving the
Same. inst-éa<d_V{)f c()_:3_1pAiyi'iig-~'iwith the di1't'3CIi()I}f.~} C(}ﬂtEiiI.1€d {.he1*ei:1i

he 11";-fji itiiised £0. Lind had displayed EE{t{31' cieﬁance and had

i  s«::J;bz"::iVfte.5<:'ii=ai1':;1pp]icz1i.i{i'jiseczkiilg eariied lczzwt-3 1"1"0m '1 8. I 2..2()(f)<:i till

 :2ii'.'2;.2f)(};'§i '<3i.i* .V3.i1':3.ciic;1E grmmds, wiiicii aczcording to the Chief

Jmgthicfz w'a6~;."_;;..i'£gj::§%3 to E'i.'V'(}iLi iiaxs: w<>ri<. 21;<;s;i§;ne.cE {:3 him. This was

hztiift-<3 b-r:'i5¢~i,E;'1"i'ui. di.5§(>be.die:1c<: to work E-illd 2.1 hick of d€V()ii£}i"% {<13



7
::t2v<::'zt£ tim:::~.; by EE'tt:~ Rz:gis;:.m;' (J'u,tti=.:ta1}., }»'Ott tmwnctt at Etim
;:;*r':.>},;21'r:I'l;2. {A list cc.mtair:i11g the p21i'[is:':t1}.'i'tI"f~; Qt" jg"0U1" 2-t%>;~;cncc,
E£:.;m:: m»';2i1<:--t1 by 3,-mt. matr§e:é.:1g. _j£i'f!ttr ;3r<:s;ct1::c. $3}; m='€rw:"it%.:1g
f;'E}Li£" absence in the Eli.{€1";{i£111CC 1't:giS[€1" and 2101; Iltétrkittg tit;

atientizxxacc rs::§;iste:' is en<:§0s<:.d herewith, }"'

The:°c3a'fteIf. not beiazgg :a21t.i.;<;ficd with tiiae repiyﬁtttatttgittét-4;}___?:>'3(

the petitionet", {E263 Registrar --~ Vigiiztﬁcé <31' .t.ﬁ€""Hi';g117Ct>.:,: cit'.

Kzﬂnataktzt was appointed as the ittc}ttia.'y ($_ft'i~Cez*'"ay":a:t' t).£Vd»ét1=..dﬁ1i€d

I8.3.20()5. The petitionclr had V§;t1v:L7t'it1_Vitte(i i_;i,'5f $t2t't1€:«t.T1.é't§t"'c:;t7 (iCfCl'lCC' 

an ii.7.§.?_()()5 and em. t-tttqtttzg-i.t-"a>.:t-t$'-- £3:->t;du<:t.::d;--.. tM?1:é::t't:)-by £W'{}
WiU}€SSCS nameiy, the Reggiistmii(3enc1t=:1'1'...étztd the Registrar-

Judiciat mire v{i'§€.§lI]Ti'i1'.'(3(;i'~_'f;t$..._"\?x'iU]t?SS(3S on behalf of the first

1*esp0nde11t';'--  *

 The pettitimttﬁx' {mamined himseif as PW.3. At the

 <:;:)i'1(:3t1s£vc_)ﬁ~t<)fiT_tA}':;e__i1aq_uiry, the }"._)€[i.{.it.)f}.€*:E' Iémct Submitted. his written

bf§€"F"(&§21teC1'.V*V;ti} ."f'.2(t}(f)5. The PrL':.ser1ting Offictzr 21130 subtnitted his

'<._w1'itt€n;~ I:t1?i.':f on t2.7.2()05. The report of the inq_LtiriI1g .:t'tt.th0:'it'y

 .é"t1b1n§tted an {6A7¥?M(J{4}:§ amt 2: :3h0w--<:;tust: n<3t.i_<:e was issued

 .. _VVtt?thr;: ptiE§ti(}{tt21' on E9.7.2.€)(}55 <:at1E.§.ng upon him to S§'1t.)W-€ZéHj.S{"§ as



ii.) Wh}:' the 1':~:;:><.>;f%: e:_';1.1§g:Ef:: 2'30: E10 be 2:c.:;*<3pt<'-xi zmd 222:}-2 <>f£E1c: pan;-zitécs
::r1z,:1ne1'aEed uI1<ic--:r Elna': R1113-.':§ be iI3:3po.§cd an him. The ;_ :?:_iti_()17:.e;"

sublniiied %"1i;<; 1'e}3z'e$;e11:;:1£'i(.)§3 with 1"i:3ft31'€:*I}<.'(: to t%1:j:_'§§1ia;i'x%i¥{:z£';;%$e

l3()ti(.':€ on Z7.7.2()()fS. The S€C()l}d 1'esp0n<ient t.h{::'é'a-:_f'tevz?f_pa%;Se-Ei--an "

{>rde1' dated z2.9.:>;005 di1"<::ct'.i:1g t1ue;'%dis;§j;'5ge;';_T91?--:%}§e~.M;j':'iVVg;;g;::

fi"(TJi"I1 the serxfices of the ﬁrs}? rc$pz);1de;1t}" . ft t.h22j:»'x%%1iVC.h is ";'§()LVl'g_},7E"ji'ii"'.

to be <;:.hz3.Eie.ng<2z:i in the above writ 14:3r::f;»iti_:)n.
3. The 16-£tFr1&':d. S'é%Iii()r '.Ad;v(3ciH_é3 Shr_i Sub.ra11nany;;: .'¥0is

appe'ari1.1g for the (§aunse1.Ai'()r  p'e:i*ELi01?é:.:" .v§~'('>;'i31d  to cam-ass

the foiiowing C€'.')§144{€1;TE§_i_(:)I1.§§2j§:   

Tahat the"'iJ1np_§,agI1ed.4}:é:=(.}ceeding3 were under the provisions
of {he H'i,2;11=C()u;'ﬁ"{§2'7_»K:1_f1':amk2i {Conditjens of Service and
_Recm.1it1nenf)*-.Ru1:3s. 397,3'£.1=it*1'ei:1:1ﬁ<:;f l'6ff;3i"1'€d to as the ' E973

Rules? i'?§.)1'LAbre\Iit'j;=}ﬁnd psnaity under the Rules couid be imposed

(§1gA1§/WM  ;i:i'a._n11er c<)11t<-:E:1piuteci and 1'_'or 1"eas<:»ns c(m_mined in

2'Ru'I+;f. 17  and the pe1:i£é.one.a" could have "been visited

wi£i":_fhé: c3:§:1;:"'c'i§;_1::*"pLInishmt;:nI of di$1_":':is;sa] c;~:2§}»-* on the basis; of {he

 é§V"id€I1C«€: iirf' p1"c3bziti'vz~": xzziimz. V.-*l1i<.:E2 was 1101; 2-zvzlilabia agziiﬁst: the



)5

9

p:--:titi_<m:::x Thtzz i:'::1.r:';::*& a:<_>L11t:sc:E. w<;m.§<.i mint out that the
;3m<:et:dings; had ht-16.11 rushtid tiarmzgit 21$  evident fmm the
asquettce Qt' e.ver1t:e and the pe%;it.i<>n<-2.2' was net. z,1ff0{d::d tmtpte

<)pp0_rtu.2.1_ity to meet the cztse ztgzjtinst him.

It is: t::>11.tc11<it3d that there.  no tn_isc<_>:2dLI£:tfl;:t>It';h's~i:t'te<i.'*5};p
him on the basis of the Articles of Ch:t1'g'c*;--.lt i.r:§ c()_n.téntis:d vthtltthe '
Statemerat of I'n1put;tti011$ a<:c0m.p2tnyVi'n_g"'the: Arti§::]<:-.5; <2)? 

was not in accotdance with I2tV:7., .2'tﬁd wzi::._vzig.r'1e- Efcndetfittg it

impossibltz. for the petit.i(§1':~e;' tt)_«"t1t"a_.s'w*:it'  so--caVi'fedn Artistes of

Chargﬁﬂ  E_3F§1'2'1*t:t"[1(i di_'.§CVi'}V3li1121t"y authority has fa§._l€:(i to
appiy his umind' .t.t>" A:.:tlat~§"'~tié3_'Trs-zice statement submitted by the

p€fiU(}i":E'I'x bef()1"::A_p:'<)'Ce<:'{Ein;g to appoint the Speciai E111p(.)wt:r6:.d

 to as the 'SEA' for brevity), to

A :<'i:;V7_V1"t'L?._tjV:V<:At This wouid ht: EL ciear vi<>h,tti()11 oi' Riﬂe 17(4)
_q of th':-:  :_'e<.;ui.r«::d tha t1i3t:ipt§z2;:t'_y £iLtth(.){.if}1 it: hetve
h2..jjtiispaséﬁihhatci); <:t)nsi(E<:red the deihhce submitteti by the

'  pétititmer,



Qt.

it}
The tézamizei Sé;'iI'ti{'}i' Adwctite wouiti take this; C€;}{1I'E Chi"'€)L1f._§h

the: avideiace l'€i'1dE:'i§'t3d by the wit.n<:s.<es PWSJ and Z to
dcimozastmte that the said wi.t::ess::s had ck-:p<>sed with :'e:_ga.rc,i ta

mzattmss and £1Sp€C[S, which never fk')'r1_11c:ti at part of' thﬁ c:.i1a.1t'}.;?s_$"--::11c§

thus the fi11dings re.<:<):"ded on Such as_p<'::Ct:'~; which.--§;é\ii.=:.r§:..tticE*«ié1*t,t'E;e'r
sttbject matter of the cllzwgés did not j);:--St'i£'y.the ".4ir1q.st:ifi £15; 2tut.Ej:t)1'i't},f

in hoiding the pzztitionar guiltytyf t.tiC.__s};t:;1<3. The."<£i::cip'i'i'n;ii'y,

2tuth<)ri.ty having accepted those fi'rtdi"r1gs  E3_6_nC'e .b2ad°,in law and

thé (3-i]{iI°€:' pr<)Ceedings Svtitttiti vi_t'iVate:d;'  c<)11t.eAh(iAed that the
finding to the effect that  ;;)_et'it,i0tjet""'h§1tI:..'tjttceived the memo

Exhibit 1 and .th€:t'é@fter de.;:'}I§_:aéci' to d.is<:hargc3 the work assigned

to him, ;11"1clxo.r_1%t.i'1e <§t1_1e1*._§"i2:J1{i, submitted an 3.pp}icat.i0n_ for Ieave

 gm grft>t1rtc1aS';' is._.{t.1€:a1'Iy agttins.;ttl1e: evidence of PWS. .1 and
  '£3 not tenztbie. The further ﬁnditlg that the
_p€t.:'iti,<__t:::'iw.Ae1"  appc:1.ded any medical ce1'tifit:atc: in support of
  reqLi&:_,st3t'<)t' e:a1*11ed leave on the ground that he was unweil

  on the £iE§SLl1]'"}_§}{'.i(")f1 titf web 21 rc::q1.1i.rezm::r:t midst' the

  whetrezis ti'v't":?I.1 ;tCc<>1'<§_ing t£__> PW's".Iz;tt1c1 2, the Rtxttzs; diti not.

:§



12

beei: merltéimed was mi' (sf 2,':§"§:\/ g.r:e;;:t. s;ignific:,:me.e, air; it was;
fe1'<:i.bEy ebtziineci from the petitisgmer.
ft is poimed {ELIE {hat Ehe record c;f0e.<'; Ht')? ciiseioése __that the

_§)€'{iEi()l'It3r had my ad.vei:<_;e i'ema1'k5; :;=:gz1.insf: him m.-=e--r_i

though it is; -.\}('?3i.igh€ £0 be miide out that the :17

habitual abgentee 21116 he never aEten(iei.i."i(> A_l1i.s \r:y"<iv_ri'<'.i._ V 'Fr0m1z1

perusal} of the anrmai performance repoiis for i."2.'O()ii'----..L

2002, his atteiicizinee is shown°"pL1i1c€u21Ei"'.e7 H.'tiweve17, the
Registrar «A Judicial ha1s._4_irI1ade.'i §.(iéI1Ii£'.£ii";{"€f31£3.1'kS in both. the

1fep0its,:'it'r>Wiihe..e5ff'eef3'f:'i*i:i:."he' "1'e-riiziins busy in State Association
act.ivitiesi'stnd zitteijdzlijee'isjfx»-:'>t~"punct'ual"i Signifieamly, there is

no date L1neniia,nedV7'21gainsi the said. entry by the Registrar ~_

iiSudiiiiai..E"'i'iI%}<ji2¢r§:.ver, for the years 20()4--2{)()5., it is apparent that the

ep<5:.t.s "c:§'1";~1:,:_ii:';<,r.:' v:v'emar}<:s which  _i{Eer1.{ie2z'l, verbatim, zigainst

eaehi" er:--iiiinriii and wouid submit that :1 plain perusal of these

:".§LiC)C-L&§_fI1€3E}iEiS wrraiid speak, for itseif as reg;;1rd.<; the object with wh.i.eh



E3

am iriquéry was c<'3§2dL::;:t.t:<;E. 211251 the :~;uppm'tmg d<.>::u;":'1<:n¥::'; {ham arc:
pfaged on _1'ec:0:*d.

[t is subnaitted that {:'»-«:13 ii' the cE.2_21;fges are halt} §);'(;>fv<:d, the

penaity ér"np<;~se.d is di.spr0p<,>1"Li0n:.1£e amzi is unsL:s:tain.'zib.1:%;--;_"The

d§$Cip3iH£;1!'}~' z1L1E.h<>rity has faiiad {O r"m2.nti.<m. the c(>--:f;é§)e::i1i

for imposing the <1-rmreme perlaity of ;di'§11'1'i:«':sg2'i1.f:{()3tn  $'€.:_'viCcﬂ  9

apparent that [here is no app1.icaii<>n of zﬁind as 'L0Afi3e'~ci1'-:)iCr: hf

penaity, It was impe.ra1'ive that §é'e2.§éns be €£s:.si'gn-éd fqr the same.
The petitioner halving bm-:jh*..de;_;i'iVg2d"'@1fsource of livelihood

ahso Si1ff€I'SVf1?£)i§1' 21 éiifgii" aindsti which is new attached to his
1"f.ipL1tE1fi()A§iVbj,' x~'irt.;a€ ..{>f th§: '5L1«mmzu'y dis1né:;saI of the pe'{iti0n.e1'

£lf{€I':11ié'zVi]]g s}:;iv'f€:d'fhe insﬁiitutéon. for thirty two yexufs and hence,

{be TC?;l1'.1s"i£?:}{f _S'=c,pi01" Advocate would submit that {ha _pc3.titi(>11 be

"a.1it§i§-'ed";:ii'g§,_E'i;_€§'<3i"&e:' of pzmishm.e;.1t be set aside and gram: such

c()ns4{'-:quénti.'2d.V bem;:f'its, which the petitioner is sntitled to.

A  Reii.anc<: is placed on the f0i}.0wi_ng EtEithOI'iIi43S in support of

 csoniie-n¥;i<)ns-:1»

€'f'Q>



   

E4

:5} Efzagzgf Ram: ma Siam? :3?" Himzztfzzgi Ps*a.(12:a<:Zz {zzzcf O2';'2.€I1s;
(1983);? SCC 442,
I9) R.cm'k'l5zi Vtzgfzajibhai Patel vs'. Af'z.med':2bad :1/fa;g';ic:*ipai

C(}I'"]?()¥'C£ff(}I'Z and (12!/£<)f}zer, AIR 1.985 3:? 504,  '  

C) Samar}: Cfzaizciwz Cfzzz/§:r;:zvaz'Ey vs: The x 

AIR 1971 SC 752

cf) Makabafes/zwar PaI2cirir1¢zz'f24_Na{k".vsj Smﬂrcé' rgfTVKarif:azaka

522252 m'.i2e:'s, .}982{2} _Kar.L;"  

e) Rczrzjizf. ?-.33.. E--}'}fzi(}}1'Qgf'i:2d;';: and 0rf2er.s*, AIR 1987 SC

f) .1R::;mj.Pcz"Z.V  i/3.  UI;i(m off India and (ﬁbers, AIR I984 SC

 gé"'Ur:£@}z1 V £§f;. Y:;z(iia czmrl czmm'-'zer vs. G-.Gana_yL:l/zam, (1997)7

3ciC:4o3,

'  K.Nagarcgja: vs. State of Kczrmzakgs 55:25! 0z12er:=,:, ELK E9279

Km: 565

{TN



E3'?

5} ,»='t.LKK(tZ;":2 s,:.a'. T126 Proj€<.'t z:m.:'Z Er;ar{;9;2'ze.%;zt {70r;7w":.z2'i(2i-t 0f

[m2'z'c;z 14:"I2-z::'I£?d, AIR .3 984 SC £36]

J} tS'fmrz.:'-cczr D(1.5'.S' vs. l',~':zi(2rz <{,7"I:-zcfézt, AIR 1 98.5 SC 7272.-.,,

5:1) Ka[pz'zIz(z (mg 1.-*5', W CE;-/zzmi :;;:rx;{%»%.%;e%23§:.;;;;~g:,

W. A . NO, 62 25/2 00.?

4. The teamed Senior Advocate SAE:t"i"S.Nag2:~nend 

for the counsel. for the respondentstywooufd c()nte.r1 (i 21$ foﬂows :»«

That f1'OI.'.i1 an :1d111is:_§i'o_n nf1:adeVby_the' '--petitior1er that he was the offitje-beat1'e17."o£_ém A.s_§o.e_i::t_io11 of Government employees, which req_Eii;fedo%hiS vfui}-{tin:te'--«.;ttte'nti<):a, wouid itself disclose that he was too busyto attend, to,tl1ev'dL1ties assigned to him. He had been in of maﬂ'<;ing___atttend21I1ee and ieaving the trotm premises' He 'e.t)_nstant.I:y'.jnduiged in insub(>rdina.tion. It was by vi.rtue. of his s*t.:1t't3.~§;__ es"'an..g')f'fiee??be21x'e1' of the said A:s;so<:iation., the petitioner $c>ug_%_1_t Sh:=:'.t.eifj'..--émderf that pretext not to discharge may \7s'(i3I"}<; '3$$igne<:Z Vto':.hin*2, The service §'s3)C()I'{§ and the yearly pe_1'formance it?

21p_p:'21.§..$ais for the }'é3&I".'€ Z€.)()i} :0 2('§{')4 woulci Ciéiiifi}-" iiiciicata {his zispect. cf the 2.31-att:;:i'.

When hf: was called upon to lﬁpnﬁ ifhi' aiuty 22:5. Court Offic:e:r in Cf0LI1't Hall Nﬂi, the pc.t..i_{i0:':er é.za1i1'2<3di_a£t:<i_'y --i"_i"Eé;& ._;m appiic::;-ition seeking camed Eeawt: for z:in"1.0i~:I Ew<~:»[.ii1(>i3:ii3 T§'»'riV'_)ii.i"I]'V' '!8.12.20("}4 to I5.2,2.()(}:3, This W£}'Sii"}Cii"E)i§tIi?;IEi5«iléiii«£?iﬂVV\i;iiii{1I disobedience and iack of devotion t()\5c<aii;i.s_ duiyfg It"W215'=;i1'ridéi'--..L those circunistamces; that he was kégsftziidei' SL:s§3é'i::§-i<>ri_7with c1'_'fe<.:t. form. 20.12.2004. The Li.i:s'c:.i&'piiIi'£i'ii}i{;iiQ(i§€:~d.ings i*on¢;wed as a matter of C(,it1I"S€i.»iv]1i{i.:§iiE3d i3f,{':.Ehﬁ Hiiiniyurable Chief Justice after exaininingyfhe' serVi_C.é ~iTEc(5'1"£1'_i"(3f*"ihe petitioner. in the petitioner's defence s;§;itemé1iw£,uit'vi/as {contended that he left the court premises dim' §if3.e1*€;b{a£i1iii1<r }C}'E'1]iSSi.O]"1 and he laced reliance on :1 .V '. .' .' :-

which permimd him to attend meet'ir1gs . in €0.niiiect'%0n"'xiii_Ih the work Q!' §<.3.i"na£'.a_2s;2i Gowzrnmerii E1"ﬁpi()y€€S }~'~.,s§éL)'Ci:;ti<3ri on aii woiikiiig days Wh€I1€,":X-"(f-I' SiT¥.1£l[i(}1"1 w'z1i'z'a1r1tt:d and __ "'«%:he;f{::f}.}1'e, his appEi<:a{i(m fog." inediczii Eeawe {.L"{)E,§§(i not be c:0nst.ru€d é

1.?

215% _:2'3i.s;::<'>:%a<iL:ei Lmgiea" Rule 2'2 sf {he Rules aizci that the I'€j€3{:t.i{}iZ of his E.ea1ve £I1pp]i{:£i[i()ﬁ Wm. r1e'~:er e0mm:.mica1£ed to him. The ¥e.:11':':ed Senior Adviucate would submit that E"r011: 21 ;'ea1_4c§V.iV1jg._'<3f the order dated .l2.9,;20()5 pzzssmi by the di$CipliI1E1_I:'y';--. wcmld reveal that ¥,he aL1tE':0riE'y has ez:.ms;.§c1e:"ee:i tlje"e;-ii::*p<;$§"t._'_{:§f the ' inquiry ()ffi.<:e1' dated i6'7.2{)()5 i11b'1'de.fa__iTEA'$21113' visa «th'eL§;;e.é§fie.1f ccsxlelucied that the eh;-1.1'ges: am?-,7?» "'p1'0vea.x. ;ii't::2e'_'_; inﬂ:ie§)e;1_dentlyV ztpplying its mind to both {he d<>c":iii1_e1ét§z1"§--?' and 0.1ial"ev'i'dence. It is poinied out iia:.1i the di.<;c.ipii§~1:1_:'y f'aVufim~:'ifyreferred to Rule E'/(1.0) and has EE1'e":~;;aic'i" deleted with effect fronl 1. «xMa'e:,j:i'ur$Ls.21f;.t to the 42"" amend1nem of the CO11SIitL1tVxi'()f}.' of _11'1cV1v§:z»,A:_LjV'b;ij"--IaE'Th'é«e}'1 Clause (2) of Article 311. was deleted andRw.i__Vfhvvtlje -deE::£.i(>.:'i'<)%' Sub~r'ule E0 of the Rufes, there was '1ie¢te$sit3?"fQi':the c:Lisc'ip1i_11au'y authority to record a finding e'1:i.e£i"<':!'§ 'I:_l}&i'gCS' iladependenﬁly before serving 3 copy of the 11vAi~§.3(.;%L1._§i'? deiinquem offi.<:ial zmd the peE§lti_oner also }12win_g f'i1e<1 béS 0bjectic)I1s. to the rep(.>_§1 and the dis;c§.piinz1ry 'E'L§JT§3{}I.'i{§'VhAE;3i'v'i1"1g C()I1S§.dB.§'CL§ the giame wlﬁe. p:1Ssi:§g {he ilnpuggned W 5 E8 {31"d6§I the c,;::e:s;tion s;>tf"ti1er:°: being ti.§E}_.f vi<'}§2-itiam. of Rttie E799') is:

rni$Cc>ria:c:iv€:d and mzteaazahie. It is; pointed out that the petitio11c':.1"s mndtzct in refusing'; to a;:o:.npIy with the menio caliing tt_po_n5~..i ("Fifi to attend to work in Cotirt H2111 no.3 on the gi'()t:_nd'--. s;uciden1.y took: ili, was nc-:v<~3.1* €S§ﬂi.7iiSh{3'€i.,..Ti3B.'11].€"}di'C'tlii' <;é:;ft_i_:f.ic£»te3 S()u_gi"1tIj() be pmdzictid did not iI1d_ic2ttei;hai--.hé: reqLiEyed.,con't.i'n.notIs;_ bod rest for atmost two months an_.,c;;{"":he3 pet'.i*t.i.:irte.;j'§ai{itself ltaxséngi decided that he required tobe tiniéavééi-:ilm()St.iti;voi months on the spur of the monient anti on t_hé',';i'é't%ite;;t_th;iIt'V had failen iil is noE_P1acedon Haiti/ing'1eg.;é§1:=if"-to:hé'--h.éi?:~ituaI COE1d1;lCt of the petitioner, in the interest <")f._di.~;ac:ipi_i_n_einthe institution, any ienience shown to "the }7."'E5§5-ti;<7..t1'1e*"1.t'Wc)u}'d»--....h;t'\re had 22 dE"EiS[i.C effect insofar' the '=bé}i:iiii<fsi;*"&.£iii .,ooncinC.t of otiacer en'1p}c_)yeeS of the inﬁtitutitim who <:oz2I'd__ 3Es()V.1*e$"o:°titt> s,2u<:h m'i3b<:havior scscuzc in the be!_i_c':f that no it "~.__is'ever<-2. pt'E'11.i.i§h1T}€ﬁ[ would visit them was uppemiost in the mind. _(3i"..ii,ii'}Eix"diSCi§)iiE'E£,1f':y' a.ut%.1c>t'itj,-' in in}_p('>sing the ptliiishment of 2% I9 <i.i.s;mi:;s;;1i ami i"f{i3¥EC{";"f it is <.i:<_mt.ez;d<2<i 'ihéli the. :=;:,.1:n<: c;1i_in<_)t be cm-1mc{ei'isc:d as being :11i.spmp<_:rtior1at.<: to {he acts of ::iiis::§'t>--1jEiv;Ic.t Wi1iCh lmve been €s;t:.':bE.is;he<i by <:<.>gt':nt' <3-videiiﬁéé %>c;*.~._fi'3r£% ' iI1quirii1g 2i':;:t11(.>rity:

The I'c:z=::'1f;<3<:I Senior Adv(i_>cat.€: xivoiiigi fL1i'Ihéf:_1'f ::§'ui9111'i;t."z.hai:; CV61] du_I'i.rig the penciency of tiiii'fi.:k}3s%{'itiinf;'-iliji: had approached {he of the impugned order {)fAE)'ElHiSi]Vl T}E5I]:.{ The law Wei} of punishment is concsczrneii ____ of the disciplinary auth<>x'it3/:'1.,_'an<i' submit that the petition be- dismissed. A V i2'w.);;id ;51'ac3_._.2f6iiance on the fo110wi_r1g authoriiies in iisiippimt. g>i'v..1h'e ,VCni1:E:nti(>ia that z1bsenteei_sm is 21 se.i"i(,>L1s misctmduct and' w_iiii_f'L1i_;?;bsi€¢:aie-eisin was :1 ground for dismi_:~;s;ai £10311 sewice mad that {$16/3~pLinish1ne111 of di_s1n.iss2:i frem §_..Z€1'\r'iCf: cannot be said 1:") be.§ii:§p:'0pc:>rti<3nat€ to the .~i;;:i.d act of mi:;c013du<:t. 20 J} €7i3(zz"{:sz_jif Lzzzyzfm 2.13'. C7:;;2'z;:zcz22zz'z';~3g (}f,"?z,'m': 5r>z:ff2e?,r2z C}2__i22i?2azizi €£I'l.(f (zifzcem, AIR 201' 0 SC 2462, I3) Gczneraf Mm2c2gm', A;);)c?il5zI'c2 Az¢I!zr)r'z'Iy, 1%-2,1-::'_'agf'-.I;;':£5;::J»gs;

Main].f\/"T2:cm2m[d.irz, (2(}€)('>)7 SCC 420, .

cj} Kgifﬂll-ff} Qf f?z{;'cz.<;'fi'z.c'1r'z czmf ClI'Z()fi?§?I' 1-as: 4AM?)-£zci.A;)>zfi>.; (2'.().(}6?i SCC 589.

5, In the light of thé on 21 _p<--::rus&E of the record, the court em-::, (E) whether the been ccnnmitted by the the punishment imposed on the petihtéhner whether the mcucedure foliowed at the A.ir1q;A1i1'y;'a »a"n'd'"'(4)"'whe-t.her the (lisci_plinau'y autlmrity ha iﬁ1pQs'i"n5z §§'u;1jsl1111_e:1t was in cczmpliance with the principles of r::52't=;;r'::iE_Mju'svtii;:8,_ charges periiztined to insuh0rdin.a11'0n and .1"efu.saI"It)"-~VA2it'tcind to wr.)ri«: 2,1s':stigned to him and haibittizti '' 2i:1'i'Eé1i3.th:f_(_)ES(:3d absence. from the ccmrt premises thougtt lmvirtg '~m2x1iég;':3d z1{tez2da111ce :31nr:i d.efyi.ng: his f*$L'E.pCI'i()I'S Whfiﬁ qz:est':i011ed Z253 Re3g%$I:.'a1* (jizciécizzi), hzxd paid a .~;u:fp:'is<:,: viréit; to aif the bI'£E§'iCh€f§~; its!' the High Court. The pcziiiiaurwer xyas; um'. fowd on {he p1"emise;~;. The inspe::{ion had taken gjlzacc-3 betwec-in 4.(){'} p.111. and 4..-?>.()p.m. On the next. day; the: H'0nm1rab}<:: Chie.f}us{icc3 had piiﬁﬁﬁd.v;ii}':(}I"(;i€'[' thaé the pe,!:.i_ti0m:r be p0s;:ec:'i as :1 Court Officrer' in C{.3{EiI"'{{:E1£-£1}. no;-I _ 9 and it 'was on this di1'c:=<:ti('m that 21 z_:1.em0"W;-:s'«_p1?éip:1§"cciV.1py ;he§ Rc':g1's£rz1;'(Judicial). The reascsn as; :0 whyjhe z'espg>*;'é:Ie1jts. hz{§;E m>E' * chosen to initiaie any ac:{i(.m againstuih€'petitione::i_ 1.4; é;i.s<3}ans\2vered by this ys;3:_'y witness <;i"§:;-.SS;gc.x:mjéi»I1iiEi(>Ii. Though the petitioner was promotzzd as.-'21"C(§'L1_rt*Qffics*:r_ szhe year £994, he had new:-E;j been itSé:'ig.:.1e"cfa:1«y_abz>_uI;'t .Vv01'I<. at any point of time, tiil December f£€)V()1/4 ItiS'--..é:i_S§5"'--s_téiiéd by the said witness that there was no c.<)_mpEai'ﬁt _&g2:i.11'st the }§>etiti01_1e1", in writing, except a memo V(i';;--::3'(1"i1.5.2(}€)3"; ..xA/liiciriwxéifiié said to have been issued by PWJ to {$118 1iic:_t..i{i€y;11é3r._1"('::' (_ngé~:'w'1'i_ti11g the a{te':11da11ce 1'e5_:isie.r relating to the daie:sA 2.7.S.j3'l3{)3.:'~"tb 29.5.2()()3, wllich is markz-3d as Exhibit P/1. ~ mid %12.(§;:*nc) h<.m«-'@:vc3]_' Wd-S 110: rs3i'E.ect"ed in the $e.rvic:<: 1'£:c01'ds V' «.o}'--th2:_pé:i1:i<')n<:r and this was not denied by 1. in his eyidaézcez. 6 H()Wf;3'\:'i'3-I', it was: ehs,ime.d by I-"W .1 that the petiticmer wan; <)mI'iy \>v'zu'ned on s;ev'era§ oee::s;i<:)11s; czs; 1°e_ga11"chx; his c0n(iue't.: {alt no action was taken ag;2ti.n.3t. him for {W213 I'€dSOI'1S; :_.the expeeiatimz timt he would mend his behavi0u1' :,_''.§.}.{;}=S€§§3.()fiu:'1,1y-._&1é}__h€= . V was the president of the ".NG() Q:'gz111isa:ti:§:)'2te;7'(etc) "~z1_£"i'd t'E'§e~.Ee'é:!Vie1' of :1 faction of the High. (3(')UI'E' e';é115'E::.};yees;' ~:he1'e_Was ':i_pp»reh--ensit>;:. ' that the work of the High. Court.-wtiu--|eci"--he par}ati~§,ts;ec;i.;'3 It is also stated in the evideltee of was aware of the habituai absetme <2i«1]_C'1"_b€ht}.V"i.QLtiT9 o'f thejv.pe'ti{i'o'ner and that it was also brojti to ;1t't.§:Vt:t_i_c§'11eV§5'£.' the _'f_'t3}"m_e1" Chief Justiee,( win) held office be:te2fe the _Iis't~i.(ie'«wh0 had initiated aeticm ztgaimt the petiti0;;.e1*)A, Ehete, 'were ne d.i1."€C{i0I.1S issued to PWJ to take any Vaetioﬁ ag';ii:2sVt*~the petitioner' From this evicienee, it is apparent that'-t'.Lh{>uvg%h~.,,_th%:§v'~i*i1ise0nd.uet that is aiieged is :~';peeifica}Iy in . :"e1_ah{.)r1 the e0n<:1uet of the petiiienez" on ]6.12.20()4 and and '01f(_>ad§y in respect of his habittuil 00116.net in ' reinai_ning abgetat from the e0u:"t pretmsesz Lzttauthtyrisediy, and zttztrking Itis ;tt'te:ttie:1ee by {)V@I'W'1'iE§§tg in the 2iItj€I1('§&t£EC€-_£74§3giS[f3I.', the respondents did not 'v-'it-3-W' the eondtttzt as pet" the s;e<.fs>»i'1i;§- éehtiege .=;e1'i(>t2st_y; over the yettliisx H.(wve\»-'ea; fmm the 1"na1tet_jia% @1171 L'z'e<:t:;--rd_., '' it cannot be said that there was no t:2iJse0i*rci:;,:.et'4.eon:-:1i§'itt.e:i_ _petitit)net or that the evidencte pieced i':j;;Asupp<)1't:et:r'§7 Athe .s321ri3e cE.i(_i°; not smpport the ehetrges. The t'in<Eih'g$M'z>t' fact' 2::'eAthe1'ef'ere arrived at on the basis of the t112tteif';'--ttl *'_x.z'i1i;;:I*3'. I't--.:.1_:§.,t Jjetj been shown to be false, But, h()wevet, the gta-,t--i.I1gj'~eit*r:;11n$té:;1ee'that ever the years, even titeugh the :;t)et?§__ otter iv.-=";tS~ given to the same b6h.E'iVi0tir, there were no a__d__\;'e1*'se%"1e:5:'g;11fk:;.._:to__ be f<3t1.11d a,_nywi1ere in the service records. It the1'e'Ibife.,Le tnéi'ttei"'e;t" SI1ame., if it is admitted that the authorities were%app1'ehe1:_sive~7ef initiating any action against the

--'V.;;etiti<,jn:er 91.1 account 'of---th'e ciout that the petitioner carried as an beeai*e,r (;f"t.he "€30verttment Employees Association.

S'een"pt'1'<'5'm the anmtal perffe1"i1"taece reports., at Anne:<.ures Q ' £11f:dAR they EH63 e0nt1'adietc)t_"y I'€p01'[5. The As..<_;:ist2tt2.t Registtm' hes; ;'epo;t.ec:'E ef the p<)e1" attendance and bad ct')11e;tt'zc:t of the Q:

5,?

3153 1:': {ha glbsmce {if :my C-{i)IT1§}]5iiI"Jf.f§ or ;2c.iv@:':;€ 1'<.=:m::rks my-'<:r." the years iE3S(}f21§' as the p:--:titi(_me3f's <:<3I1dL:ct xx-':22; cnncé.-'zmed, the pr()c.e.e:dings initiated in the y<:m' 2004 in :'e.spec£ of 'f,_h£: pz1sE C()I1dUC{ of t.h<-2. ;:)e.tii%0m':1"._, which was well Within $112:

the disciplmaxiy authorfit}-1 as a(i£T1].it.{CdWI:t'1 the .e'vidé:1';<.;é"V{)i'- even ear1'i<31' and the Discipiirlary AutF1(>:'it_y";31'3E E'::1v"i~n g f'i'.{i,')%':1g'i}I_'it fit to czheck the conduct of'fhéi'~,petiI:Ai'c:I3::1<of».vt()'~. 111--itia=fe pmceedings, does n0t,.justif'yV-Wihe e§<'£renaAé'vvpuniéhment of éismissai ﬁrom :;<31"vi<:e- now'Vi:i1p(§s:r:Ei:i'):1__ iLhe»pé.t--iti0nea*. AS'E€V)uEc1.:LT.be R.Liié"Vl5 of the }973 Rules, any penalty Ccmlszl haxr¢'{74§e.;i for good and suffi.c:iez_1t I'€3S()I}. Rank,i11$ub0f€iiai3at'i:3n '-and' absenteeissm, if were chlronic in 11atVu'1'i::, iiiid ff~.t;h€1'€ was material evidence av:-ziiable on record, it éi:£':.E.1'1'-i¥Qt b:i'3ai_af'{hat the d§:3cip}§_n2t1'y auth<):fit.y wouid 230:' be _ ;'ustif'i"e.d in imjyosing the exizmme pumishmem: of dismissal which lam?' as laid down in the decided (33363, reiisti upon by {he ' %earn_<:d Scanior Advocate Shri Nagziaaatrld.

'Rx $29 27 As; maid. be E-:3-E54-'€:"i'E:¢ $2 the easae tr'? SI5;'I€:' of f€::{ja,s*I!:cz;2 arm' zmorlzer vs. Mrﬁzai. Ay:..;Z2 s\-21.2; s'up1'a, the res;p<?2nde11t: {herein was absent from duly for ever tI"1.1'ee 3502123 and it was no: i~;at;i$§;;et'<;_1'ify explained. It is in that ei1fcumst:1eee {hen the SUp1T§T~i";3€ (:(§~l:I:1"E:'1416-Eda» that ever1_Ehe11gh the 21d.1:13inis:tra1¥:ive auL.h<>1f.i_I_y has a£j_:i1:§ri;21r"y 1f_eie in V' deciding as to the quantum of pL1nish'§11e:é.:.T"£}}e Té;e:e'p«e_<_1.f'ji:'d§e'i:£i review wouid neeessariiy :"elegate...f\f1e i:1tei'venti-C2n"ef°--:jhVe "£,:eu.rt; being see0ndar_y. But the..pr()eee{f1::gS h'ad_ be.en p'en'ding, before the e()u1°{ for over 20 years, riialiri i.te.ei'{5.'j;:1_S_'.. thought it fit to hofd that the pL11:~'isIé1j1};e':'at eeuigi be eusfa-ri.'"r1e(i_..V..f« Irr¢M0--}z{I',VNz;:Ef;ezL;ici51Ei»;e.7A_ease; supra, it again :1 case of 21bse11ieeisn1f«--wI_ 'eh. waé'.ai1'«I,,:iiauthc)rised absence for three years. {,7!:czm.r'z._jiI izriiifiti ease, supra, the cieiinquent had made a_.'f'é1Ese' _?'V(>V:r_ peyxnezzt of trzmsport ehmges of household luggage aim} r€§.ifi1sedt()pz1y eIee1:tfi<;:it}-'bill charges. W 2% T.E1e2'e{<'}:"e. {his ::<m1*t is wt' {E323 €.3}"}fE'tiUE3 thzzt. t.E3<.>ug_h. the chzzrges; ham: been held pr0v<-3d, the pm1i::;}1men£ .%m.p0.sed sstzmds; modiﬁecl to t:h::E' <>fC<>2'm3L1isL'w;s; 1':-31irc:n"1<:n£ from s;e2;'vice xvifh e:i"fe<:t from the date. of the impugned order.

A<;:c()1iLii.I.1.gi.y, Ehs pcztition stancis; aEisp(:».~;<:=cE <_)£. "§ 3-"

5 :

§M:::g.s,.=: '* ..

4 §=.iJ ' RV

Unlock Advanced Research with PRISMAI

Karnataka High Court