- Bookmark
- Share
- CaseIQ
Om Prakash Singh v. District Inspector Of Schools, Azamgarh
Judgment Summary — S.K. Singh, J.
Factual and Procedural Background
The petitioner, the senior-most Lecturer at S.B. Inter College, Lahua Kalan, Azamgarh, was appointed as Officiating (ad-hoc) Principal after a seniority dispute decision by respondent No.1. The committee of management of the college allegedly began harassing the petitioner thereafter. The committee (respondent No.2) directed the petitioner to entrust financial liabilities to two named persons, and the petitioner alleges that after collecting fees he handed them to one Pramod Kumar Singh who did not deposit them in the relevant account. The petitioner wrote letters informing respondent No.2 of the non-deposit.
The committee resolved to suspend the petitioner; that suspension was approved by the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) by an order dated 31.10.2001. The petitioner challenged (by writ petition) the enquiry report dated 29.10.2002 and the DIOS order dated 31.10.2001 (Annexures 9 and 11), contending the DIOS order was arbitrary, non-speaking, violative of principles of natural justice and issued without proper application of mind; counsel relied on decisions involving Committee of Management v. DIOS, Ballia.
The respondents replied that the petitioner faced serious charges of financial irregularities corroborated by an audit report; DIOS referred to the charges, audit report and the petitioner's reply before approving the suspension. The court examined pleadings and material on record and ultimately dismissed the writ petition.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the enquiry report dated 29.10.2002 and the DIOS order dated 31.10.2001 approving the petitioner's suspension are liable to be quashed as arbitrary and non-speaking.
- Whether the order of the District Inspector of Schools violated principles of natural justice and failed to apply mind to the petitioner's reply.
- What is the required scope of reasons to be recorded by the District Inspector of Schools when either approving or disapproving a Committee of Management's resolution of suspension (with reference to sub-section (7) of section 16-G as cited in precedent).
Arguments of the Parties
Petitioner's Arguments
- The DIOS order is arbitrary and violates the principles of natural justice because it does not indicate that the DIOS applied his mind to the charges in light of the petitioner's reply.
- The order is non-speaking: no finding was recorded dealing with the charges and the order did not state reasons for rejecting the petitioner's reply.
- The order was passed the day after the petitioner filed his reply to the audit report (notice dated 29.10.2001; reply submitted 30.10.2001; impugned order dated 31.10.2001), suggesting insufficient consideration and possible external interference (specifically by the Joint Director of Education).
- Reliance was placed on Committee of Management v. DIOS, Ballia to submit that DIOS must record brief reasons when according or refusing approval to a suspension order of a Committee of Management.
Respondents' Arguments
- There were serious charges of financial irregularities corroborated by an audit report; the DIOS's approval of suspension was correct on the facts.
- If DIOS recorded detailed findings in the approval order, it could prejudice the petitioner's case in the subsequent enquiry; therefore a full adjudicative finding was neither necessary nor appropriate at the approval stage.
- DIOS referred to the charges, the audit report and the petitioner's reply, and was cognizant of the facts before approving the suspension; therefore the order was not non-speaking or a result of non-application of mind.
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
|---|---|---|
| Committee of Management v. District Inspector of Schools, Ballia | The District Inspector of Schools, while exercising powers under sub-section (7) of section 16-G, acts in a supervisory capacity and must record brief reasons for according or refusing approval to an order of suspension passed by a Committee of Management; a detailed judgment is not required but absence of any reason renders a disapproval order illegal/arbitrary. | The court quoted and applied the principle but distinguished the present facts: that precedent condemned a DIOS disapproval without any reasons. Here, since DIOS referred to charges, audit corroboration and the petitioner's reply and gave an opportunity to respond, the DIOS order approving suspension was held not to be non-speaking or without application of mind. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The court proceeded step-by-step as follows:
- Examination of pleadings and materials on record revealed that it was not disputed that the petitioner, as principal, had collected various fees (tuition fee, education fee, sports and cultural fee, etc.) that were not deposited.
- The petitioner's explanation — that he handed collected amounts to Pramod Kumar Singh as directed by management — was specifically denied in the counter-affidavit and lacked corroboration on the record. The court noted that this factual conflict required a detailed enquiry and that no conclusive finding could be made at the writ stage without risking prejudice to either party.
- The audit authorities in the office of the DIOS had prima facie confirmed financial irregularities; the petitioner was given notice (29.10.2001) and submitted a reply (Annexure 10), but the court observed that immediate detailed fact-finding by the DIOS in an approval order might prejudice the pending enquiry.
- The court analyzed the precedential principle that DIOS must give brief reasons when disapproving a Committee's resolution. It clarified that the requirement to record reasons is particularly necessary when DIOS disapproves; when DIOS is called upon only to approve a Committee's action and there is voluminous supporting material, DIOS's action may properly be limited to a subjective satisfaction based on the record rather than a full adjudicative judgment that would pre-empt an enquiry.
- Applying these principles to the present order, the court found that the DIOS had referred to the charges, the audit confirmation and the petitioner's reply, had given an opportunity to be heard, and thereafter exercised his discretion to approve the committee's resolution. Thus, the DIOS order could not be characterized as non-speaking or made without application of mind.
- The court declined to examine alleged mala fides at the writ stage because the existence of audit-supported charges made that contention a matter for a full-fledged enquiry rather than summary interference by the court.
Holding and Implications
DISMISSED.
Direct effect: The writ petition challenging the enquiry report dated 29.10.2002 and the DIOS order dated 31.10.2001 approving the petitioner's suspension was dismissed on the facts and materials on record; the dismissal was ordered without any costs. The court held that the DIOS order was not non-speaking or a result of non-application of mind, and that recording detailed findings at the approval stage was unnecessary and potentially prejudicial to the subsequent enquiry.
Broader implications: The opinion relied upon the existing principle that DIOS must state brief reasons when disapproving a Committee of Management's resolution, but it did not extend or create a new legal precedent; rather it distinguished the cited precedent on the facts and reaffirmed that approval of a Committee's suspension decision may require only subjective satisfaction supported by reference to material on record rather than a detailed adjudicative finding.
Petition dismissed. (Final line in the opinion: "Petition Dismissed.")
S.K Singh, J.:— By means of this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for quashing the enquiry report dated 29.10.2002 and the order dated 31.10.2001 (Annexures 9 and 11 to the writ petition). By the order dated 31.10.2001, the District Inspector of Schools has approved the resolution and the suspension of the petitioner who has been working as Officiating Principal.
2. The petitioner happens to be the senior most Lecturer in the College known as S.B Inter College, Lahua Kalan, Azamgarh (hereinafter referred to as the College). By the order of respondent No. 1, seniority dispute was decided and the committee of management was directed to give charge of ad-hoc Principal to the petitioner, upon which the petitioner was appointed as such. It has been stated that the committee being prejudiced by the decision of respondent No. 1 started harassing the petitioner in various manner. The respondent No. 2 wrote a letter to the petitioner directing him to entrust all the financial liability to Pramod Kumar Singh, and Assistant Clerk Kanchit Singh. It is stated that in pursuance of the direction of the committee of management, the petitioner after collecting amount of fee etc., handed over the same to Promod Kumar Singh, but it appears that the said Pramod Kumar Singh did not deposit the same in the concerned account, in respect to which the petitioner gave information to respondent No. 2 by various letters. It has been stated that on frivolous charges, the respondent No. 2 resolved for petitioner's suspension, which has now been approved by the District Inspector of Schools, by the order impugned in this petition. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the order of respondent No. 1 is clearly arbitrary and is also in violation of principle of natural justice. It has been pointed out that the order does not indicate that the respondent No. 1 has applied his mind to the charges in the light of the petitioner's reply. No finding has been recorded dealing with the charges and as the order is non-speaking one, it is liable to be quashed on this ground alone. It has been further submitted that the order has been passed on account of interference by the Joint Director of Education which is clear from the impugned order itself and further that on 29.10.2001, the petitioner was given notice to give reply in respect to the Audit report to which the petitioner has submitted reply on 30.10.2001 and on very next day i.e 31.10.2001, the impugned order has been passed. The order does not state that why the petitioner's reply has not been found to be satisfactory and therefore, on account of non-application of mind, without giving any reason for discarding petitioner's explanation and their being interference by the Joint Director of Education, the order is bad in law. In support of the aforesaid contention, learned counsel for the petitioner has placed reliance on the decision given in the case of Committee of Management v. DIOS, Ballia,1 and the Committee of Management v. DIOS.2 On the strength of the aforesaid decisions, it has been submitted that the District Inspector of Schools was required to record brief reasons for according/refusing while giving approval, although a detail judgment was not required.
3. In response to the aforesaid submissions as has been made on behalf of the petitioner, learned counsel who appears for the respondents submits that there has been serious charges of financial irregularities on the part of the petitioner which was duly corroborated by the audit report also and therefore, on the facts of the present case, the District Inspector of Schools has taken a correct decision in the matter. It has been further argued that in the event, the petitioner's contention is accepted and detail finding comes in the order of the District Inspector of Schools, that has to prejudice the petitioner's case itself in the enquiry proceedings. It has been pointed out that the District Inspector of Schools has referred to various charges against the petitioner, the audit report and also the reply as has been submitted by the petitioner and therefore, he was fully conscious with all the facts and situation and it is then, order of approval to the suspension of the petitioner has been passed.
4. In view of the aforesaid submissions, as has come from both sides, the pleadings and the materials as has come on record, have been examined.
5. There appears to be no dispute about the fact that the petitioner being principal has been collecting money in various heads i.e tuition fee, education fee, sports and cultural fee etc. but that has not been deposited. The explanation as has been furnished by the petitioner in his reply and as has been stated before this court that, he after collecting the amount in various heads, has been giving the same to one Pramod Kumar Singh on account of the direction issued by the management, has been specifically denied in the counter affidavit. It has been clearly stated that no letter was written asking the petitioner to collect fee and hand over the same to Pramod Kumar Singh for being deposited. At this stage, there is no corroboration of this version as stated by the petitioner and of course, it will be the subject matter of a detail enquiry and no finding either way at this stage can be recorded. The various kind of financial irregularities as has been alleged on behalf of the management while taking decision to place the petitioner under suspension has been confirmed by the audit authorities of the office of the District Inspector of Schools to which the petitioner was also apprised by giving letter/notice dated 29.10.2001 The reply of the petitioner is contained in Annexure 10 to the writ petition in which, the main stress appears to be that although, money was realised but the same was being handed over to Promod Kumar Singh, Lecturer as directed by the management. At this stage, recording of any finding, may prejudice the case of either of the parties and therefore, suffice it to say that in view of the admitted facts that the money which was required to be deposited having been realised by the petitioner, not being in deposit, if on the facts so mentioned in the impugned order, District Inspector of Schools; has taken a view to approve the decision of the Committee, no exception can be taken to it. It is only when the District Inspector of Schools is dis-approving the decision of the committee, he will have to record detail reason for not accepting the same but when the matter comes before him for approval of an action, in support of which, there are voluminous evidence and if the District Inspector of Schools has referred to those charges, materials and even to the explanation given by the petitioner, it cannot be said that he was not conscious of all the facts and there is non-application of mind. At this stage, only subjective satisfaction was required as recording a finding about approval of the charge and guilt of the petitioner has to prejudice his own case. The decision as has been referred by learned counsel for the petitioner as given in the case of Committee of Management v. District Inspector of Schools, Ballia (supra), also lays down that if the order of the District Inspector of Schools is without giving any reason whatsoever, and that too in the matter of dis-approval of the resolution, then it can be termed as faulty. The relevant extract of the aforesaid judgment of the Apex Court is quoted as under:
“As discussed earlier, a District Inspector of Schools while exercising power under sub-section (7) of section 16-G acts in a supervisory capacity and his decision may have adverse effect on either party which is before him. Since the party affected adversely by his order invariably comes to court, he must record brief reasons for according or refusing to accord approval to an order of suspension passed by a Committee of Management although a detailed judgment is not required. In the present case, the District Inspector of Schools has dis-approved the resolution of the Committee of Management without giving any reason whatsoever. In absence of any reason, this court is unable to find fault with the resolution of the Committee of Management suspending the respondent No. 2. Therefore, the order of the District Inspector of Schools must be held to be illegal and arbitrary.”
6. In the given set of fact, a reading of the order of the District Inspector of Schools, cannot be said to be a non-speaking or a non-reasoned order. The District Inspector of Schools has referred to the charges against the petitioner on which he has been placed under suspension. Prima-facie confirmation of the charges by audit authorities of the office of the District Inspector of Schools and then for his own satisfaction, he has given opportunity to the petitioner to submit his reply in the light of the audit report and it is thereafter, after examining the same, he found that he has to go at this stage with the management and therefore, he accorded approval to the resolution of the petitioner's suspension. On all these facts, a look to the impugned order restricts this court from accepting the contention of the petitioner that the order of the District Inspector of Schools is arbitrary, non-speaking and is without application of mind. The submission of the petitioner that the action of the respondent is malafide, is not to be examined at this stage as there appears to be charges of financial irregularities and in the light of the audit report by the office of the District Inspector of Schools, the District Inspector of Schools was satisfied with the action of the management and therefore, various other aspects as argued by learned counsel for the petitioner being subject matter of full fledged enquiry, it requires no adjudication at this stage.
7. In view of the aforesaid discussions, on the facts and materials as has been brought on record, this appears to be not a fit case for interference by this court and therefore, the writ petition fails and is dismissed, without any order as to costs.
Petition Dismissed.
Alert