Muneshwar v. U.P. Co-Operative Federation Ltd. Thru. Its Managing Director and 3 Others
Case brief
What is this about?
Muneshwar v. U.P. Co-Operative Federation Ltd.; WRIT-A 7768 of 2024; Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench; Abdul Moin J.; suspension during disciplinary inquiry upheld (prima facie case); demand to deposit Rs.119.29 lakh (Rs. 1,19,29,000) under show cause notice dated 02.08.2024 without charge-sheet held unjustified and stayed; FIR directed during inquiry; FIR lodged 05.09.2024 rendering challenge infructuous; petitioner free to challenge FIR elsewhere; charge-sheet 25.09.2024, reply 16.10.2024; disciplinary proceedings to be finalized within three months with exclusion of non-cooperation period; interim order 12.09.2024; final disposal 20.1.2025.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of with directions: suspension order dated 17.08.2024 not disturbed; competent authority to finalize the pending disciplinary proceedings within three months of receipt of certified copy of the order, excluding periods of the petitioner's non-cooperation; petitioner left open to challenge the FIR lodged on 05.09.2024 before the appropriate court in appropriate proceedings; the interim stay on the deposit demand under show cause notice dated 02.08.2024 had operated until further order while the inquiry continued.