Jai Kishan
v.
Commissioner Of Police
(Supreme Court Of India)
Civil Appeal No. 5210 Of 1995 | 10-04-1995
2. We have heard the counsel on both the sides. The appellant was appointed as a Temporary Constable on 9-9-1982. After his undergoing training, he was posted to 7th Bn. The Central Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1966 (for short "the Rules") and other rules as notified vide Delhi Administrations Notification No. 10/5/79 Home (P) Establishment dated 17-12-1980 are applicable to the service conditions of the appellant. He continued up to 14-9-1988 on which date the respondents issued and served an order under Rule 5(e) of the Rules terminating his services with the expiry of a period of one month from that date. The appellant when questioned the same in the Central Administrative Tribunal in CA No. 1969 of 1988, by order dated 15-12-1993 it had dismissed the petition and his review application also was dismissed. Thus, this appeal
3. In the counter-affidavit it was stated that from the perusal of his service record it was observed that the appellant had absented himself wilfully in an unauthorised manner on 65 occasions from time to time during his entire service of six years and he was not found fit for issue of quasi-permanency by various officers and was awarded punishment of censure and period of absence without pay after regular departmental enquiry. That the appellant was found to be a habitual absentee and incorrigible type of police employee and this could have set a bad example to other employees of the uniformed force. The appellant had not shown any capacity or devotion to his duties nor he performed the same efficiently. Therefore, his retention in service for more period was considered not desirable for the discipline of the force
4. Rule 5(e) of the Rules reads as follows
"5. (e)(i) All direct appointments of employees shall be made initially on purely temporary basis. All employees appointed to the Delhi Police shall be on probation for a period of two yearsProvided that the competent authority may extent the period of probation but in no case shall the period of probation extend beyond three years in all
(ii) The services of an employee appointed on probation are liable to be terminated without assigning any reason
(iii) After successful completion of period of probation, the employee shall be confirmed in the Delhi Police by the competent authority, subject to the availability of permanent post."
5. A reading thereof clearly indicates that all direct recruits are required to be on probation for a period of two years and in no case the probation would extend beyond the period of three years. During the period of probation the probationer is required to complete successfully the probation complying with the conditions of passing the test etc. Thereafter, they need be confirmed in the Delhi Police Service. The confirmation into the service, therefore, is a condition precedent, to continue as a member of Delhi Police Service. In spite of giving repeated opportunities to improve himself he failed to improve his performance. So he was given notice on 14-9-1988 terminating his service by the impugned order
6. It is contended by the learned counsel for the appellant, placing reliance on State of Punjab v. Dharam Singh 1968 AIR(SC) 1210 : 1968 SLR 247 [LQ/SC/1968/27] ], that even if the appellant was not confirmed by passing any order, on expiry of three years he must be deemed to have been confirmed as a member of the Service. Thereafter, the respondents had no jurisdiction to terminate his service. It is difficult to accept the contention. Dharam Singh case 1968 AIR(SC) 1210 : 1968 SLR 247 [LQ/SC/1968/27] ], bears no relevance, as similar provision was not there in the rule concerned. Successful completion of probation is a condition precedent for confirmation as envisaged in clause (iii) of Rule 5(e) of the Rules. The authorities have power to allow maximum period of 3 years of probation. In this case instead of giving him three years, they have given a long 5 years period so as to see whether the appellant would improve his performance in the service. Since they found that there was no satisfactory improvement, his probation was terminated and he was removed from service as a probationer. Under these circumstances, we do not find any illegality in the action taken by the respondents warranting interference
7. The appeal is accordingly dismissed. No costs.
Advocates List
For
For Petitioner
- Shekhar Naphade
- Mahesh Agrawal
- Tarun Dua
For Respondent
- S. Vani
- B. Sunita Rao
- Sushil Kumar Pathak
Bench List
HON'BLE JUSTICE B. L. HANSARIA
HON'BLE JUSTICE K. RAMASWAMY
Eq Citation
1996 LABIC 589
1995 (3) SCT 653 (SC)
1995 (3) SLJ 51 (SC)
[1995] 3 SCR 268
AIR 1996 SC 660
(1995) (SUPP) 3 SCC 364
JT 1997 (10) SC 536
1995 (2) UJ 531
1995 (3) SCALE 195
LQ/SC/1995/513
HeadNote
Service Law — Probation — Termination of service — Held, authorities have power to allow maximum period of 3 yrs of probation — In this case instead of giving him three years, they have given a long 5 yrs' period so as to see whether appellant would improve his performance in service — Since they found that there was no satisfactory improvement, his probation was terminated and he was removed from service as a probationer — No illegality in action taken by respondents warranting interference — Central Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1966, R. 5(e) (ii) and (iii)