RAJINDER PAUL BHARADWAJ vs THE OIL AND NATURAL GAS CORPORATION LTD. AND ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

7-WP-6938-2007 (1) (3).DOC JYOTI IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY RAJESH MANE CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Digitally signed by JYOTI RAJESH MANE Date: 2026.05.04 WRIT PETITION NO. 6938 OF 2007 18:20:11 +0530 Rajinder Paul Bharadwaj, Age 57years, presently working as Manager (MM) In the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. At Vasundhara Bhavan, Bandra (E), Mumbhai 400051, and residing at B-1302, Hill View Park, Thakur Village, Kandivali (E), Mumbai – 400101. ...Petitioner Versus 1. The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., “Jivan Bharti, Tower-II, 124, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. 2. The Chairman and the Managing Director of Oil & Natural Gas Coproration Ltd. “Jivan Bharti”, Tower – II, 124, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001. 3. The Director (H.R.), The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Jivan Bharti, Tower – II, 124, Connaught Place,New Delhi – 110001. ...Respondents _______ Mr. Ramesh Ramamurthy a/w. Mr. Saikumar Ramamurthy a/w. Mr. Aalim N. Pinjari, for the Petitioner. Mr. Oduvil Mohandas a/w. Mr. J.P.Kapadia i/b. Little & CO.,for Respondent Nos. 1 to 3. _______ CORAM: G. S. KULKARNI & AARTI SATHE, JJ. RESERVED ON: 09 March 2026 PRONOUNCED ON: 04 May 2026 Page 1 of 35 Mane 7-WP-6938-2007 (1) (3).DOC JUDGMENT (PER: AARTI SATHE, J) : 1. This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India assails the departmental proceedings resulting in a punishment of reduction in rank imposed on the petitioner by the Appellate Authority’s order dated 13 April 2006. The short issue which arises for consideration is whether it was legal and valid for the respondents to hold a departmental inquiry against the petitioner in the year 2001 in regard to the alleged misconduct of the year 1991, and proceed to impose such punishment. This apart, also whether the mat