Rita Devi v. The State Of Bihar and Anr.
Natural justice / doctrine of bias – Anganbari Sevika – Removal
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court, CWJC No.1605 of 2019, decided 26-02-2024 by Dr. Anshuman, J. Removal of Anganbari Sevika by District Programme Officer, I.C.D.S., Buxar (Complaint Case No. 23/2017, order dated 12.06.2018); appeal dismissed by District Magistrate, Buxar (Anganbari Appeal No. 52/2018, order dated 24.08.2018) on a report obtained from the same DPO whose order was under challenge. Held violative of natural justice and doctrine of bias; appellate authority must enquire from persons other than the order-passing authority. Impugned order set aside; fresh enquiry and fresh order directed from a person other than the DPO within 90 days. Reference to 'the Rule of 2016' making the District Magistrate the final appellate authority. Keywords: Anganbari Sevika, I.C.D.S., natural justice, bias, appellate authority, remand, fresh enquiry.
What did the court decide?
Impugned appellate order dated 24.08.2018 in Anganbari Appeal No. 52/2018 set aside; District Magistrate, Buxar directed to pass a fresh order after conducting enquiry from a person other than the District Programme Officer, Buxar, within 90 days from production of a copy of the order; writ petition disposed of with the aforesaid observation and direction.