Sandeep Watts Vs Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board

Mr. Vikas Chatrath, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Advocate Mr. Anirudh Malhan, Advocate and Ms. Rishita Kaushik, Advocate for the respondent.

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HARPREET SINGH BRAR J. (Oral)

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CM-8086-CWP-2026

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Prayer in the instant application filed under Section 151 of CPC is for placing on record the affidavit of Deepti Uppal, Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Punjab, along with documents (Annexures R-1 and R-2, respectively).

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Allowed as prayed for subject to all just exceptions. The Registry is directed to tag the same at appropriate place.

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CM-8094-CWP-2026

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Prayer in the instant application filed under Section 151 of CPC is for placing on record the affidavit of Deepti Uppal, Chief

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MOHD YAKUB 2026.05.15 09:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.

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CWP-7788-2026

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Executive Officer, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Punjab, along with documents (Annexures A-1 and A-2, respectively).

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Allowed as prayed for subject to all just exceptions. The Registry is directed to tag the same at appropriate place.

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CWP-7788-2026

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Prayer in this writ petition filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, is for issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari , for quashing the impugned suspension order dated 23.06.2022 (Annexure P-2), whereby the petitioner has been kept under suspension continuously for more than three years. Further a writ of mandamus has been sought, directing the respondent to reinstate the petitioner in service and release the arrears of enhanced subsistence allowance with 12% interest from the date the amount became due till the date of actual payment to the Petitioner @ 75% with effect from 23.12.2022, i.e., after completion of six months from the date of suspension i.e. 23.06.2022, in terms of Rule 7.2 of the Punjab Civil Services Rules, Volume-I, Part-I.

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On 16.03.2026, the following order was passed:-

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Learned counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that the petitioner was appointed as a Clerk on 10.05.1988 in the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board and on account of his satisfactory service, he was subsequently promoted to the post of Superintendent Grade-I on 26.10.2016. He further submits that an FIR No.9 dated 20.06.2022 (Annexure P-1) was registered against the petitioner and certain other officials, pursuant

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MOHD YAKUB 2026.05.15 09:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.

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CWP-7788-2026

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to which the petitioner was placed under suspension vide impugned order dated 23.06.2022 (Annexure P-2). Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner was granted regular bail by the competent Court on 08.12.2022. Despite a lapse of considerable time, the petitioner has been kept under suspension for an indefinite period and more than three years have passed without carrying out any departmental proceedings and issuing any charge-sheet. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner submitted several representations to the respondent seeking reinstatement as well as enhancement of subsistence allowance, however, the respondent failed to take any appropriate action. He further contends that similarly situated employees were granted enhanced subsistence allowance @ 75% vide orders dated 22.03.2023 and 10.11.2023 (Annexures P-5 and P-6, respectively), whereas the petitioner was arbitrarily denied the same. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that though the respondents ultimately granted subsistence allowance @ 75% to the petitioner vide order dated 19.12.2025 (Annexure P-10), the benefit was made operative only prospectively and the arrears from the due date i.e. 23.12.2022 were illegally withheld. The petitioner is entitled to subsistence allowance from the date of suspension i.e. 23.06.2022 in terms of Rule 7.2 of the Punjab Civil Services Rules, Volume I Part I.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner relies upon the judgment laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ajay Kumar Choudhary v. Union of India & Anr., (2015) 7 SCC 291 and the judgment rendered by this Court in CWP32198-2025 titled as Girish Verma vs. State of Punjab and

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MOHD YAKUB 2026.05.15 09:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.

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CWP-7788-2026

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others , decided on 31.10.2025 (Annexure P-13) and submits that suspension beyond a period of three months is not sustainable especially when no departmental proceedings were initiated. As such, in the absence of any charge-sheet, the petitioner cannot be placed under suspension for such a long period.

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Notice of motion for 07.04.2026.

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Process dasti, as well.

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To be taken up immediately after the Urgent List.

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Learned Senior counsel for the respondent/Board submits that the petitioner has been reinstated and as such, the only surviving dispute is regarding subsistence allowance, which would be considered in the light of Rule 7.2 of the Punjab Civil Services Rules (as applicable to the respondent/Board) and in terms of the judgment rendered by this Court in CWP-32198-2025 titled as Girish Verma vs. State of Punjab and others , decided on 31.10.2025 .

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In response thereto, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he is satisfied with the stand taken by learned Senior counsel for the respondent and the present petition may be disposed of. 5. Ordered accordingly.

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Pending miscellaneous application, if any, also stands

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disposed of.

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(HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE

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14.05.2026 yakub Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No

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MOHD YAKUB 2026.05.15 09:22 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.

Sandeep Watts v. Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board

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Sandeep Watts v. Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board

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