Arjun Prasad Singh Vs The Union of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 6284 of 2024

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Arjun Prasad Singh Son of Late Chhotu Singh, Resident of Village and Post Office - Agni, Police Station - Belaganj, District - Gaya (Bihar), PIN - 804403.

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... ... Petitioner/s

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Versus

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The Union of India through the Secretary, Department of Posts, Government of India, Sansad Marg, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi- 110001.

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The Director General, Department of Posts, Sansad Marg, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi- 110001.

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The Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan, Patna - 800001.

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The Director of Postal Services, Head Quarter, Bihar Circle Meghdoot Bhawan, Patna- 800001.

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The Director of Postal Services, Jharkhand Circle, Ranchi, 834002.

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The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Gaya Division, Gaya - 823001.

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The Inspector of Post Offices (Central Sub-Dn), Gaya- 823001.

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... ... Respondent/s

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Appearance :

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For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Om Prakash Singh For the Respondent/s : Mr.Mohit Agarwal. Adv. CGC

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====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. B. BAJANTHRI and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK KUMAR PANDEY ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. B. BAJANTHRI)

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Date : 08-05-2024

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In the instant writ petition, petitioner has assailed the order dated 18 October, 2023 passed in O.A No.050/00813/2019 read with M.A No. 050/00813/2019. In the original application before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Patna Bench, Patna (for short CAT) petitioner assailed the order of removal from service dated 14.12.1992. Further, he has sought for release of

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the pay and all due allowances for the intervening period from 06.11.1989 and 31.05.2015. The CAT proceeded to dismiss the petitioner’s original application on the score of limitation hence the present petition. Cause of action accrued to the petitioner as on 13.12.1993 with reference to removal from service dated 14.12.1992 that is within one year from the date of cause of action, petitioner should have invoke the remedy in filing application under section 19 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985. Assuming that petitioner has statutory remedy of appeal before the appellate authority and appeal has been filed on 04.03.1993 and if the appeal is not decided within a period of six months that is 03.07.1993 even from 03.07.1993 the petitioner was required to invoke remedy before the CAT on or before 04.12.1994 (one and half years) time from the date of filing appeal before the appellate authority.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that delay is on account of pendency of criminal case. In the criminal case petitioner is stated to have been convicted on 13.12.1993. Thereafter, he has assailed conviction order dated 13.12.1993 in criminal appeal in the year 1993 itself. The criminal appeal was allowed on 11.09.18 while setting aside the conviction order dated 13.12.1993 resultantly the petitioner has approached the

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CAT in the year 2019.

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The aforementioned cause for condonation of delay from 19.04.2019 cannot be taken into consideration with reference to pendency of criminal case for the reasons that departmental proceedings and criminal proceedings are two separate proceedings as held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on umpteen number of decisions, therefore, the petitioner should not have waited for decision in the criminal proceedings insofar as in not challenging the order of removal from service dated 14.12.1992 read with the inaction of the appellate authority on the petitioner’s memorandum of appeal dated 04.03.1993. In other words, the present litigation is hopelessly barred by delay and latches. Recently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Mrinmoy Maity vs. Chhandra Koley and others passed in Civil Appeal Nos. 5027 of 2024 @ Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 30152 of 2018) para 10 to 14 elaborately considered in respect of belated litigation entertaining by the respective Courts and it reads as under:-

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10 . The discretion to be exercised would be with care and caution. If the delay which has occasioned in approaching the writ court is explained which would appeal to the conscience of the court, in such circumstances it cannot be gainsaid by the contesting party that for all times to come the delay is not to be condoned. There may be myriad circumstances which gives rise to the invoking

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of the extraordinary jurisdiction and it all depends on facts and circumstances of each case, same cannot be described in a straight jacket formula with mathematical precision. The ultimate discretion to be exercised by the writ court depends upon the facts that it has to travel or the terrain in which the facts have travelled.

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11 . For filing of a writ petition, there is no doubt that no fixed period of limitation is prescribed. However, when the extraordinary jurisdiction of the writ court is invoked, it has to be seen as to whether within a reasonable time same has been invoked and even submitting of memorials would not revive the dead cause of action or resurrect the cause of action which has had a natural death. In such circumstances on the ground of delay and latches alone, the appeal ought to be dismissed or the applicant ought to be nonsuited. If it is found that the writ petitioner is guilty of delay and latches, the High Court ought to dismiss the petition on that sole ground itself, in as much as the writ courts are not to indulge in permitting such indolent litigant to take advantage of his own wrong. It is true that there cannot be any waiver of fundamental right but while exercising discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226, the High Court will have to necessarily take into consideration the delay and latches on the part of the applicant in approaching a writ court. This Court in the case of Tridip Kumar Dingal and others v. State of W.B and others., (2009) 1 SCC 768 has held to the following effect:

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"56. We are unable to uphold the contention. It is no doubt true that there can be no waiver of fundamental right. But while exercising discretionary jurisdiction under Articles 32, 226, 227 or 136 of the Constitution, this Court takes into account certain factors and one of such considerations Is delay and laches on the part of the applicant in approaching a writ court. It is well settled that power to issue a

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writ is discretionary. One of the grounds for refusing reliefs under Article 32 or 226 of the Constitution is that the petitioner is guilty of delay and laches.

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57. If the petitioner wants to invoke jurisdiction of a writ court, he should come to the Court at the earliest reasonably possible opportunity. Inordinate delay in making the motion for a writ will indeed be a good ground for refusing to exercise such discretionary jurisdiction. The underlying object of this principle is not to encourage agitation of stale claims and exhume matters which have already been disposed of or settled or where the rights of third parties have accrued in the meantime (vide State of M.P. v. Bhailal Bhai [AIR 1964 SC 1006: (1964) 6 SCR 261], Moon Mills Ltd. v. Industrial Court (AIR 1967 SC 1450] and Bhoop Singh v. Union of India [(1992) 3 SCC 136: (1992) 21 ATC 675: (1992) 2 SCR 969]). This principle applies even in case of an infringement of fundamental right (vide Tilokchand Motichand v. H.B. Munshi [(1969) 1 SCC 110], Durga Prashad v. Chief Controller of Imports & Exports [(1969) 1 SCC 185] and Rabindranath Bose v. Union of India [(1970) 1 SCC 84]).

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58. There is no upper limit and there is no lower limit as to when a person can approach a court. The question is one of discretion and has to be decided on the basis of facts before the court depending on and varying from case to case. It will depend upon what the breach of fundamental right and the remedy claimed are and when and how the delay arose."

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12 . It is apposite to take note of the dicta laid down by this Court in Karnataka Power Corportion Ltd. and another v. K. Thangappan and another, (2006) 4 SCC 322 whereunder it has been held that the High Court may refuse to exercise extraordinary jurisdiction if there is negligence or omissions

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on the part of the applicant to assert his right. It has been further held thereunder:

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"6. Delay or laches is one of the factors which is to be borne in mind by the High Court when they exercise their discretionary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution. In an appropriate case the High Court may refuse to invoke its extraordinary powers if there is such negligence or omission on the part of the applicant to assert his right as taken in conjunction with the lapse of time and other circumstances, causes prejudice to the opposite party. Even where fundamental right is involved the matter is still within the discretion of the Court as pointed out in Durga Prashad v. Chief Controller of Imports and Exports [(1969) 1 SCC 185 AIR 1970 SC 769]. Of course, the discretion has to be exercised judicially and reasonably.

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7. What was stated in this regard by Sir Barnes Peacock in Lindsay Petroleum Co. v. Prosper Armstrong Hurd [(1874) 5 PC 221: 22 WR 492] (PC at p. 239) was approved by this Court in Moon Mills Ltd. v. M.R. Meher [AIR 1967 SC 1450] and Maharashtra SRTC v. Shri Balwant Regular Motor Service [(1969) 1 SCR 808: AIR 1969 SC 329]. Sir Barnes had stated:

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"Now, the doctrine of laches in courts of equity is not an arbitrary or a technical doctrine. Where it would be practically unjust to give a remedy either because the party has, by his conduct done that which might fairly be regarded as equivalent to a waiver of it, or where by his conduct and neglect he has though perhaps not waiving that remedy, yet put the other party in a situation in which it would not be reasonable to place him if the remedy were afterwards to be asserted, in either of these cases, lapse of time and delay are most material. But in every case, if an argument against relief, which otherwise would be just, is founded upon mere delay, that delay of course not amounting to a bar by any statute of limitation, the validity of that defence must be tried upon principles

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substantially equitable. Two circumstances always important in such cases are, the length of the delay and the nature of the acts done during the interval which might affect either party and cause a balance of justice or injustice in taking the one course or the other, so far as it relates to the remedy."

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8. It would be appropriate to note certain decisions of this Court in which this aspect has been dealt with in relation to Article 32 of the Constitution. It is apparent that what has been stated as regards that article would apply, a fortiori, to Article 226. It was observed in Rabindranath Bose v. Union of India [(1970) 1 SCC 84: AIR 1970 SC 470] that no relief can be given to the petitioner who without any reasonable explanation approaches this Court under Article 32 after inordinate delay. It was stated that though Article 32 is itself a guaranteed right, it does not follow from this that it was the intention of the Constitution-makers that this Court should disregard all principles and grant relief in petitions filed after inordinate delay.

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9. It was stated in State of M.P. v. Nandlal Jaiswal [(1986) 4 SCC 566: AIR 1987 SC 251] that the High Court in exercise of its discretion does not ordinarily assist the tardy and the indolent or the acquiescent and the lethargic. If there is inordinate delay on the part of the petitioner and such delay is not satisfactorily explained, the High Court may decline to intervene and grant relief in exercise of its writ jurisdiction. It was stated that this rule is premised on a number of factors. The High Court does not ordinarily permit a belated resort to the extraordinary remedy because it is likely to cause confusion and public inconvenience and bring, in its train new injustices, and if writ jurisdiction is exercised after unreasonable delay, it may have the effect of inflicting not only hardship and inconvenience but also injustice on third parties. It was pointed out that when writ jurisdiction is invoked, unexplained delay coupled with the creation of third-party rights

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in the meantime is an important factor which also weighs with the High Court in deciding whether or not to exercise such jurisdiction."

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13 . Reiterating the aspect of delay and latches would disentitle the discretionary relief being granted, this Court in the case of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board and others v. T.T. Murali Babu, (2014) 4 SCC 108 has held:

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"16. Thus, the doctrine of delay and laches should not be lightly brushed aside. A writ court is required to weigh the explanation offered and the acceptability of the same. The court should bear in mind that it is exercising an extraordinary and equitable jurisdiction. As a constitutional court it has a duty to protect the rights of the citizens but simultaneously it is to keep itself alive to the primary principle that when an aggrieved person, without adequate reason, approaches the court at his own leisure or pleasure, the court would be under legal obligation to scrutinise whether the lis at a belated stage should be entertained or not. Be it noted, delay comes in the way of equity. In certain circumstances delay and laches may not be fatal but in most circumstances inordinate delay would only invite disaster for the litigant who knocks at the doors of the court. Delay reflects inactivity and inaction on the part of a litigant- a litigant who has forgotten the basic norms, namely, "procrastination is the greatest thief of time" and second, law does not permit one to sleep and rise like a phoenix. Delay does bring in hazard and causes injury to the lis."

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14 . Having regard to the afore-stated principles of law enunciated herein above, when we turn our attention to facts on hand, it would not detain us for too long for accepting the plea of the appellant in affirming the order of the Learned Single Judge and dismissing the writ petition on the ground of delay and latches. We say so for reasons more than one, firstly, it requires to be noticed that the writ

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petitioner was a rival applicant along with the appellant herein for grant of LPG distributorship and she along with the appellant herein, were found to be eligible and the appellant herein was held to be successful by virtue of draw of lots. This factual aspect would reflect that the writ petitioner was aware of all the developments including that of the allotment of distributorship having been made in favour of the appellant herein way back in 2014, yet did not challenge and only on acceptance of the alternate land offered by the appellant in March, 2017 and permitting him to construct the godown and the showroom. Same was challenged in the year 2017 and thereby the writ petitioner had allowed his right if at all if any to be drifted away or in other words acquiesced in the acts of the Corporation and as such on this short ground itself the appellant has to succeed. Secondly, another fact which has swayed in our mind to accept the plea of the appellant herein is that, undisputedly the appropriate government had felt the need of permitting the Oil Marketing Companies to be more flexible and as such modification to the guidelines had been brought about on 15.04.2015 whereby the applicants were permitted to offer alternate land where the land initially offered by them was found deficient or not suitable or change of the land, subject to specifications as laid down in the advertisement being met. There being no stiff opposition or strong resistance to the alternate land offered by the appellant herein not being as per the specifications indicated in the advertisement, we see no reason to substitute the court's view to that of the experts namely, the Corporation which has in its wisdom has exercised its discretion as is evident from the report filed in the form of affidavit by the territory manager (LPG)/ BPCL whereunder it has been stated:

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"13. On the basis of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to non-agricultural. In his application form the said Respondent no. 9 had provided the Land for godown at Plot No 3732, Khatian No LR

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2585, 2586, 2587 JL No 34, Mouza Kolera, Jamalpur, Distt Burdwan admeasuring 33 decimal. The same was cleared based on Registered Lease Deed, which was found to have been genuine in all respects as confirmed by the ADSR Jamalpur

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16. The land offered by the successful candidate, namely the Respondent no.9 was found to be eligible by relying on the abovementioned clauses, which determine eligibility of the land based on the status of ownership. The fact that the said land was a "Barga" land is not a material condition on the basis of which the Respondent no. 9's candidature could be cancelled.

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24. Subsequently, FVC of the said newly offered land by the LOI holder, Respondent no. 9 was conducted and the same was found suitable for construction of LPG Godown. A letter being DGP:LPG OMP: Jamalpur dated 21.03.2017 was provided to the said LOI holder informing him that the alternate land provided is found suitable and therefore his request to construct LPG Godown in the said alternate land has been approved. A copy of the said letter dated 21.03.2017 is annexed hereto and is marked as "R-5".

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25. It is therefore submitted that the steps taken by the Respondent no. 3 in allowing the LOI holder, Respondent no. 9, to provide alternate land for construction of godown, have been in consonance. With the change in policies and no favoritism or nepotism, as suggested by the petitioner has been in play.

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32. It is further clarified that the FVC conducted on the original land offered by the Respondent no. 9 was found to be satisfactory on all counts, and only on the basis of this, his request for provision of alternate land wall accepted."

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In the light of the principle laid down by the Hon’ble

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Supreme Court the petitioner has not made out a case so as to interfere with the CAT order dated 18.10.2023 passed in O.A No.050/00813/2019 read with M.A No. 050/00813/2019 stands

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dismissed.

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(P. B. Bajanthri, J)

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( Alok Kumar Pandey, J)

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Krishnakant/Alok

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AFR/NAFR	NAFR
CAV DATE	NA
Uploading Date	14.05.2024
Transmission Date	NA

Arjun Prasad Singh v. The Union of India

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Arjun Prasad Singh v. The Union of India

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