GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI vs HIRA LAL DUGGAL

Judgment text excerpt

$~83 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 6981/2017 GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI .....Petitioner Through: Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, Standing Counsel with Mr. Nitesh Kumar Singh, Ms. Laavanya Kaushik, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advs. versus HIRA LAL DUGGAL .....Respondent Through: Mr. Avadh Bihari Kaushik, Ms. Saloni Mahajan and Mr. Rishabh Kumar, Advs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY DIGPAUL ORDER (ORAL) % 22.01.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. In connection with the work undertaken the respondent Hira Lal Duggal while deputed on election duty as Assistant Returning Officer, in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi1 in 2007, Election Petition 47/2007 was filed before the learned Additional District Judge, Delhi2. The petition alleged that the respondent was guilty of having resorted to corrupt practices while on election duty, on 17 March 2007. The respondent was, at that time, working as Superintendent Grade-I in the MCD. 1 “MCD” hereinafter 2 “learned ADJ” hereinafter Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 6981/2017 Page 1 of 6 KUMAR Signing Date:29.01.2025 11:49:26 2. The Election Petition was disposed of by the learned ADJ vide order dated 4 June 2008, concluding that the allegations against the respondent were serious and entailed departmental and penal consequences. 3. In the interregnum, the respondent had retired on 1 February 2008. 4. In connection with the incident forming subject matter of Election Petition 47/2007, disciplinary proceedings were instituted against the respondent by way of a charge sheet dated 22 March 2011. 5. The respondent challenged the disciplinary proceedings before this Court by way of WP (C) 4750/2011, which was transferred to the Central Administrative Tribunal3 and renumber