10. This position of law has been reiterated in the recent case of Union of
India &Ors. v. Gyan Chand Chattar (supra) and in Para 35 of the judgment as
reported in the SCC, this Court has observed that the law can be summarized
that an enquiry is to be conducted against any person giving strict adherence
to the statutory provisions and principles of natural justice and the charges
should be specific, definite and giving details of the incident which formed the
basis of charges and no enquiry can be sustained on vague charges...."
(1977) 1 SLR 750] was reiterated : (Gyan Chand Chattar case [Union
of India v. Gyan Chand Chattar, (2009) 12 SCC 78 : (2010) 1 SCC
(L&S) 129] , SCC p. 88, paras 35-36)
"35. ... an enquiry is to be conducted against any person
giving strict adherence to the statutory provisions and principles
of natural justice. The charges should be specific, definite and
giving details of the incident which formed the basis of charges.
(1977) 1 SLR 750] was reiterated : (Gyan Chand Chattar case [Union
of India v. Gyan Chand Chattar, (2009) 12 SCC 78 : (2010) 1 SCC
(L&S) 129] , SCC p. 88, paras 35-36)
"35. ... an enquiry is to be conducted against any person
giving strict adherence to the statutory provisions and
principles of natural justice. The charges should be
specific, definite and giving details of the incident which
formed the basis of charges. No enquiry can be sustained
on vague charges. Enquiry has to be conducted fairly,
objectively and not subjectively. Finding should not be
12 LPA No.201/2023
perverse or unreasonable, nor the same should be based
on conjectures and surmises. There is a distinction in
proof and suspicion. Every act or omission on the part of
the delinquent cannot be a misconduct. The authority must
record reasons for arriving at the finding of fact in the
context of the statute defining the misconduct.
In the case of Union of India and Others vs. Gyan Chand Chattar (supra)
relying upon the case of Sawai Singh vs. State of Rajasthan (supra)
Supreme Court held that in a domestic enquiry the charge must be clear,
definite and specific as would be difficult for any delinquent to meet the vague
charges. There must be fair play in action particularly in respect of an order
involving adverse or penal consequences. The Court held that an enquiry is
to be conducted against any person giving strict adherence to the statutory
provisions and principles of natural justice. No enquiry can be sustained on
vague charges. The findings should not be based on conjectures and
surmises. Every act or omission on the part of the delinquent cannot be a
misconduct.
1977 SCC (L&S) 298:(1977)1 SLR 750] was
reiterated : (Gyan Chand Chattar case [Union
of India v. Gyan Chand Chattar, (2009) 12 SCC
78:(2010) 1 SCC (L&S) 129], SCC p. 88, paras
35-36)
"35. ... an enquiry is to be conducted
against any person giving strict
adherence to the statutory provisions
and principles of natural justice. The
charges should be specific, definite and
giving details of the incident which
formed the basis of charges. No enquiry
can be sustained on vague charges.
21. We have examined the report of the enquiry officer as in our opinion the
Tribunal has unfortunately abdicated its duty by failing to consider the same.
From the report of the enquiry officer it is discernibly perverse. The witness
Ashok Biswas in his deposition had not in any manner indicated that the
petitioner had demanded any amount from him despite which the enquiry officer
has found that the charge of extortion had been proved. In fact this witness had
15
stated that it was one Shyamal Chakraborty, who had asked for some amount
which was allegedly to be given to the Officer-In-Charge. However, Shyamal
Chakraborty who was also examined denied having asked for any amount or
having stated that the amount was to be paid to the petitioner. The allegation of
Ashok Biswas that he was falsely implicated in a criminal case because he
refused to pay the money demanded by the petitioner is not borne out from the
evidence on record. The investigating officer of that case was examined and he
has admitted in his cross examination that Ashok Biswas was implicated on the
basis of the statement made by some other person. It is obvious from the record
that this charge of extortion has not been proved to the hilt against the petitioner
which is necessary in the case of a quasi-criminal charge like extortion as
observed in the case of Union of India and Ors. vs. Gyan Chand Chattar. In
fact the evidence on record does not even indicate a preponderance of
probabilities of the petitioner having committed the misconduct alleged. It
appears that the enquiry officer was acting, not as an unbiased person and an
independent adjudicator, but as a representative of the departmental /
disciplinary authority / government which has resulted in injustice to the
petitioner.