and Ex-Capt. K.C. Arora & Anr. v. State of Haryana & Ors.,
(1984) 3 SCC 281, this Court observed that it was well-established
that Rules made under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution
1
of India, being legislative in nature and character, could be given
effect to retrospectively.
22. Similarly, we find no force in the submission made by the
delinquent that he did not participate in the disciplinary proceedings
and did not make any comment on receiving the inquiry report along
with the second show cause notice as the notices had not been served
1
upon him in accordance with law. The second show cause notice and
the copy of the inquiry report had been sent to him under registered
post. Therefore, there is a presumption in law, particularly, under
Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 and Section 114
Illustration (f) of the Evidence Act, 1872 that the addressee has
received the materials sent by post. (vide: Greater Mohali Area
Development Authority & Ors. v. Manju Jain & Ors., AIR 2010
SC 3817).
In the instant case, proceedings were held ex-parte against the
delinquent as he failed to appear in spite of notice and such a course
of the inquiry officer was justified (See: State of U.P. v. Saroj
Kumar Sinha, AIR 2010 SC 3131). There is no averment by the
delinquent that he did not receive the said notice and the copy of the
inquiry report. The plea taken by the delinquent shows that he has
adopted a belligerent attitude and kept the litigation alive for more
than two decades merely on technical grounds. The delinquent waited
till the conclusion of the purported fresh enquiry initiated on
17.1.2002, even though he could have challenged the same having
been initiated by a person not competent to initiate the proceedings
and being in contravention of the orders passed by the High Court
1
earlier. In such a fact-situation, the High Court ought to have refused
to entertain his writ petition. More so, the writ petition could not have
been proceeded with and heard on merit when the statutory appeal
was pending before the Board of Directors, CIL.