Gracy George v. Head Master Government High School Nedumpuram and Others

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** # **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 3[RD] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2022 / 12TH KARTHIKA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 32616 OF 2011`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` GRACY GEORGE, HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT (SOCIAL SCIENCE) ST.MARY'S V.H.S.S., VALIYAKUNNAM,, NOW WORKING IN GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL,, NEDUMPRAM, UNDER DEPLOYMENT. BY ADVS.SRI.S.MUHAMMED HANEEFF SRI.R.KRISHNAKUMAR CHERTHALA ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - `1 THE HEAD MASTER GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL,, NEDUMPURAM-689578.` - `2 THE MANAGER ST.MARY'S V.H.S.S.SCHOOL,, VALIYAKUNNAM, THEODICAL P.O., PIN-689613.` - `3 DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER THIRUVALLA-689645.` - `4 DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PATHANAMTHITTA AT THIRUVALLA-689645.` - `5 DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.` - `6 STATE OF KERALA REP. BY ITS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT,, GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT,, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695001.` - `7 T.P.SIVARAMAN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION,, PATHANAMTHITTA AT THIRUVALLA, PIN-689645. BY ADVS.SRI.JACOB P.ALEX SRI.JOSEPH P.ALEX SRI.K.M.FAISAL, GP` ## **`THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03.11.2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:`** WP(C).No.32616/2011 **2** ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J. -------------------------------W.P.(C).No.32616 of 2011** **---------------------------------------------Dated this the 03[rd ] day of November, 2022** ## **JUDGMENT** This writ petition is filed with following prayers: - i. Call for the entire records leading upto Ext.P13 order and quash the same by issuing a writ of certiorari, or any other appropriate writ, order or direction. - ii. Issue a writ or mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction declaring that period of suspension of the petitioner shall be treated as on duty and she is eligible for full salary from 11-10-2010 to 27-2-2011 and direct the 3[rd] respondent to sanction and disburse the salary and all other service benefits to the petitioner without further delay. - iii. Issue a writ or mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the 6th respondent to take departmental action against the 7[th] respondent and to realize the monetary loss from him caused because of his illegal actions resulted in suspension of the petitioner and consequential actions and litigations etc etc. WP(C).No.32616/2011 **3** - iv. Issue a writ or mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the 6th respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P14 within the time limit fixed by this Hon'ble Court and after hearing the petitioner. - v. Issue such other writs or pass such other appropriate orders as this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. **==> picture [36 x 12] intentionally omitted <==** 2. Petitioner was appointed as High School Assistant in Social Science in the school managed by the 2[nd] respondent from 07.10.1988 onwards. As per the staff fixation year 200708, the 3[rd] respondent declared the petitioner as protected. It is the case of the petitioner that she applied for Leave Without Allowance from 07.09.2007 to 31.12.2009 and the same was allowed. Subsequently in the year 2009-10, the District Educational Officer (DEO) found that petitioner is under protection and directed the Manager to report her name for deployment. Since the petitioner's husband is working abroad and is having various ailments, she filed an application for Leave Without Allowance for a period of three years with effect from 02.07.2010 before the Manager. Since the WP(C).No.32616/2011 **4** Manager has not forwarded the same before the DEO in time, she approached this Court and this Court as per an interim direction, directed the Manager to forward the application to the DEO. The petitioner was deployed to Government High Sschool, Nedumpuram and she joined there. While working so, the petitioner received information that her husband Abraham Mathew, who is working at Abu Dhabi has sustained serious injuries and he requires urgent surgery. It is the case of the petitioner that since nobody is there to nurse him and he is immobile, she rushed to Abu Dhabi on 21.08.2010. It is also the case of the petitioner that since the school was closed for Onam Holidays upto 29.08.2010, she submitted application for half pay leave with effect from 30.08.2010 before the Head Master as well as the Manager. It is also submitted by the petitioner that through her sister she submitted application for Leave Without Allowance from 30.08.2010 to 08.10.2010. subsequently when the health condition of the petitioner's husband improved, she came back to India on 10.10.2010 and reported for duty on 11.10.2010. Thereupon the Head Master refused permission for signing the attendance register and on WP(C).No.32616/2011 **5** approaching the Deputy Director of Education (DDE), he informed the petitioner that disciplinary proceedings are initiated against her based on his report. Thereafter, the Manager of the parent school summoned the petitioner and handed over suspension order dated 11.10.2010 issued by the DDE. The petitioner challenged the said order before this Court and this Court as per order dated 22.10.2010 stayed the same. Aggrieved by the stay order, the Government approached the Division Bench of this Court and the Division Bench stayed order of the learned Single Judge and directed the Government to consider revision filed by the petitioner. In compliance with the directions in the judgment, the Government passed Ext.P7 order allowing the revision and found that suspension orders has been issued while the leave without allowances application was under consideration of the Government. Moreover the documents produced by the teacher will show that she has applied for leave for the period of alleged unauthorized absence through proper channel. It is also found that the suspension orders has been issued without conducting a preliminary enquiry. On the basis of the same, WP(C).No.32616/2011 **6** the DDE reinstated the petitioner. According to the petitioner such finding is binding on the DDE who is a subordinate authority to the Government. Further leave sanctioning authority has sanctioned the same also for the period 30.08.2010 to 08.10.2010 as per order dated 12.08.2011 which is Ext.P9. Subsequently this Court, taking note of the fact that the Government intervened in the matter and set right the injustice done to the petitioner, it is submitted that the writ petition itself was disposed of directing the DEO to disburse salary. It is the case of the petitioner that, the DDE, without any authority of law, initiated disciplinary action against the petitioner by issuing memo and passed order dated 20.08.2011 finalized disciplinary proceedings by admonishing the petitioner and also ordering treatment of the period of suspension as eligible leave. Ext.P13 order is the order. Ext.P13 was challenged before the Government by filing Ext.P16 revision. Consequently Ext.P16 produced in I.A.No.13841/2012 was passed by the Government. (Ext.P16 produced in I.A.No.13841/2012 can be treated as Ext.P17 in the writ petition). As per Ext.P17, the suspension period was WP(C).No.32616/2011 **7** treated as duty without monetary benefits. Aggrieved by Ext.P17, this writ petition is filed. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader. 4. After hearing the matter in detail, according to me, there is nothing to interfere with Ext.P17. The Government considered the matter in detail and thereafter regularised the suspension period. It will be better to extract the relevant portion of Ext.P17: “4) ശ്രീമതി. ഗ്രേ സി ജ ോർജ് പരാമർശം (4) പ്രകാരം സമർപ്പിച്ച അപേ ക്ഷയിൽ 24/01/2011 ൽ സർക്കാർ ഉത്തരവുണ്ടായിട്ടു തന്നെ ജ ോലിയിൽ പ്രവേ ശിപ്പിച്ചത് 28/02/2011 -ൽ മാത്രം ആണെ ന്നും സസ്പെ ൻഷൻ കാലയളവ് ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധിയായി അനുവദിച്ചാൽ അത് ജീവിതാവസാനം വരെ ദ ദോഷകരമായി ബാധിക്കുമെന്നും ആയതിനാൽ സസ്പെ ൻഷൻ കാലയളവും ജ ോലിക ഹാജരാകാതിരുന്ന മറ്റിതര കാലയളവും സേ വനമായി കണക്കാക്കി മുഴുവൻ ശമ്പളവും മററ ആനുകൂല്യങ്ങളും നൽകണമെന അഭ്യർത്ഥിക് യും ചെ യ്തിരുന്നു. 5) സർക്കാർ ഇക്കാര്യം വിശദമായി പരിശശോധിച്ചു. ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധി അപേ ക്ഷ തീരുമാനമാകാതെ അനധികൃതമായി രാജ്യം വിട്ടു പപോയത് അദ ധാപികയുടെ ഭാഗത്തു നിന്നുണ്ടായ വീഴ്ചയാണെ ങ്കിലും വിദേശത്തുള്ള തന്റെ ഭർത്താവിന്റെ ആരരോഗ്യസ്ഥിതിയിൽ ആശങ്കാകുലയായാണ് താൻ രാജ്യം വിട്ടു പപോയത് എന്ന കാര്യം പരിഗണന അർഹിക്കുന്നു. അദധാപികയെ ശക്തമായ താക്കീത് നല്കി WP(C).No.32616/2011 **8** അച്ചടക്ക നടപടികൾ അവസാനിപ്പിച്ച വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ ഡെ പ്യൂട്ടി അദ ഡയറക്ടറുടെ നടപടി അംഗീകരിക് യും ചെ യ്യുന്നു. ധാപിക നൽകിയ ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധി അപേ ക്ഷ സർക്കാരിന്റെ പരിഗണനയിലായിരിക്കെ അദധാപികയെ സസ്പെ നറ ചെ യ്യുകയും ഉടൻ ജ ോലിയിൽ തിരികെ പ്രവേ ശിപ്പിക്കുവാൻ സർക്കാർ ഉത്തരവ് ജ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടും അദധാപികയെ ോലിയിൽ പ്രവേ ശിപ്പിക്കുവാൻ അനാവശ്യമായ കാലതാമസം ഉണ്ടാക് യും ചെ യ്തകാര്യവും സർക്കാർ പരിശശോധിച്ചു. കൂടാതെ ഒരു എയ്ഡഡ് സ്കൂൾ അദ സി ജ ധാപികയായ ശ്രീമതി. ഗ്രേ ോർജ്ജിനെ തിരെ അച്ചടക്ക കൊണ നടപടികൾ കൈക പ്പോൾ 1958 ലെ കേ രള വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ ചട്ടങ്ങളിലെ അദധായം XII A റൂൾ 67 (2) മാനദണ്ഡങ്ങൾ പാലിക്കപ്പെ ടുകയയോ സ്കൂൾ മാനേ ജരുടെ അഭിപ്രായം നേ ടുകയയോ ചെ യ്തിട്ടില്ല എന്ന കാര്യവും സർക്കാർ പരിശശോധിച്ചു. മേൽ കാര്യങ്ങളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ ശ്രീമതി. ഗ്രേ സി ജ ോർജിന്റെ 14/11/2011 ലെ അപേ ക്ഷയും 22/10/2010 ലെ ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധി അപേ ക്ഷയും പരിഗണിചച താഴെപ്പറയും പ്രകാരം ഉത്തരവ് പുറപ്പെ ടുവിക്കുന്നു. (6) ശ്രീമതി. ഗ്രേ സി ജ ോർജ്ജിനെ തിരെയുള്ള അച്ചടക്കനടപടികൾ കർശനമായ താക്കീത് നല്കി അവസാനിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ 11.10.2010 മുതൽ 23.01.2011 വരെയുള്ള സസ്പെ ൻഷൻ കാലം, ശമ്പളവും അലവൻസുകളും ഉപജീവനബത്തയിൽ പരിമിതപ്പെ ടുത്തി ക്കൊണട മറ്റെല്ലാ കാര്യത്തിനും ഡ്യൂട്ടിയായി ക്രമീകരിച്ചുകകൊണ്ടും 24.01.2011 മുതൽ സർവ്വീസിൽ പുനഃപ്രവേ ശിച്ച തീയതി വരെയുള്ള കാലയളവ് പ്രവേ ശനകാലമായി കെ .എസ്.ആർ ഭാഗം 1 ചട്ടം 66 B (9) നു താഴെയുള്ള കുറിപ 2 പ്രകാരം ക്രമീകരിച്ചുകകൊണ്ടും കെ .എസ്.ആർ ഭാഗം 1 ചട്ടം 88 പ്രകാരം 30.08.2010 മുതൽ 8.10.2010 വരെ ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധി അനുവദിച്ചുകകൊണട ഓണം അവധി മുൻ ചേ ർക് യും 9.10.2010, 10,10.2010 തീയതികൾ WP(C).No.32616/2011 **9** പിൻചേ ർക് യും ചെ യ്തും ഉത്തരവ് പുറപ്പെ ടുവിക്കുന്നു. ശൂന്യവേ തനാവധി കാലയളവ് ഇൻക്രിമെനറ ഹയർഗ്രേ ഡ്, പെ ൻഷൻ ആർജ്ജിതാവധി തുടങ്ങിയവയക്ക പരിഗണിക്കുന്ന തല്ല. ഇക്കാര്യം സേ വന പുസ്തകത്തിൽ രേഖപ്പെ ടുതേ ണ്ടതുമാണ്.” 5. The Government accepted the explanation of the petitioner and thereafter regularised the suspension period treating the same as duty. But it is clear that the petitioner was not given monetary benefit during that period. Admittedly the petitioner was not working during that period. In such circumstances, there is nothing to interfere with Ext.P17. Therefore, the writ petition fails and the same is dismissed. Sd/- **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN JUDGE** JV WP(C).No.32616/2011 **10** ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 32616/2011`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` - `Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR LEAVE IN FORM NO. 8 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER DT. 02.07.2010.` - `Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DT. 2.08.2010 IN W.P.(C) NO. 22223/2010 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.` - `Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE PRINCIPAL, ST. MARY'S VHSS, VALIYAKULAM DT. 24.09.2010.` - `Exhibit P4 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO. A412443/2010 (VIGI) DDE (PTA) DT. 11.10.2010 OF THE 4TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P5 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DT. 22.10.2010 IN W.P.(C) NO. 32406/2010 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.` - `Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DT. 14.12.2010 IN W.A NO. 1901/2010 OF THE DIVISION BENCH OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.` - `Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE GO (RT) NO. 337/11/G.EDN DT. 24.01.2011 ISSUED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P8 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO. A4/12443/2010/K.DIS DT. 02.02.2011 OF THE 4TH RESPONDENT.` - `Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE LEAVE APPLICATION FOR THE PERIOD 30.08.2010 TO 08.10.2010 WITH ENDORSEMENT DT. 12.08.2011.` - `Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DT. 13.06.2011 IN W.P.(C) NO. 32406/2010 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.` - `Exhibit P11 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO ISSUED BY THE DDE TO THE PETITIONER DT. 18.03.2011.` - `Exhibit P12 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY TO THE MEMO OF CHARGES SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 4TH RESPONDENT DT. 18.05.2011.` - `Exhibit P13 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.` WP(C).No.32616/2011 **11** ``` A4/12443/2010 DT. 20.8.2011 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. ``` ``` Exhibit P14 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE GO(P) NO. 418/08/FIN DT. 16.09.2008 ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. ``` ``` Exhibit P15A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 6TH RESPONDENT DT. NIL. ``` ``` Exhibit P16A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 6TH RESPONDENT DT. 14.11.2011. Exhibit P17A TRUE COPY OF THE G.O. (RT) NO. 1733/2012/G.EDN DT. 10.04.2012 ISSUED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT. ```