CWP No.3272 of 2009 -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH.
CWP No.3272 of 2009
Date of Decision: 20.04.2009
Balbir Singh
...Petitioner
VERSUS
State of Haryana and others
...Respondents
CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY TEWARI
Present: Mr. Deepak Sibal, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Mr. Harish Rathee, Sr. DAG, Haryana.
AJAY TEWARI J. (ORAL)
The petitioner has challenged the holding of disciplinary
proceedings on the same allegations as those for which he is facing criminal
trial. Learned counsel for the petitioner has informed me that the case has
been fixed for framing of charges for 23.04.2009.
Limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner is
that the investigating officer, the shadow witness and the complainant be
first examined in the Court so that cross examination to be conducted by the
petitioner can be concluded and that thereafter the inquiry proceedings can
go on.
Though learned Senior Deputy Advocate General has
vehemently argued that even this limited prayer of the petitioner is not
justified, yet I feel that if a time bound direction is given for the recording
of the evidence of these witnesses, it might be in the interest of justice to
CWP No.3272 of 2009 -2-
defer the disciplinary proceedings till these witnesses are examined.
In the circumstances, the trial court, Special Judge,
Yamunanagar is directed to finalize the proceedings regarding the framing
of charges on 23.04.2009 itself and in case charge is framed then the three
witnesses mentioned above would be examined on or before 26.05.2009.
For this purpose, learned Senior Deputy Advocate General, Haryana has
also stated that he would ensure that prosecution does not seek unnecessary
adjournment for producing these witnesses.
The case is adjourned to 28.05.2009. Interim order is directed
to be continued till then.
It is further clarified that in case charge is not framed or in the
event the petitioner does not cross examine these witnesses, the stay order
shall stand automatically vacated.
Let the copy of this order be supplied to learned Senior Deputy
Advocate General, Haryana under the signature of the Court Secretary for
information to the inquiry officer as well as to the learned trial Judge and
the prosecuting agency to ensure that the matter is not delayed.
( AJAY TEWARI )
April 20, 2009 JUDGE
ashish