Vikas Deep v. State of Punjab and Others

CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 1oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoATo CHANDIGARHo o o o o o o o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023(O&M)o o o o o o o DateoofoDecision:oAprilo20,2023.o VikasoDeepooo o o o o o o o o o o .......Petitionero o o o o Versuso StateoofoPunjaboandoothersoo o o o o o o o o o o o o ......oRespondentsoo o CORAM:-oo HON'BLEoMRS.JUSTICEoLISAoGILLo o o HON'BLEoMRS.oJUSTICEoRITUoTAGOREo Present:o Mr.oGauravoChopra,oSr.oAdvocateo o o withoMr.oC.M.Munjal,oAdvocate,o o o Ms.oVasundhraoAsija,oAdvocate,o o o Mr.oAbhinandanoMutneja,oAdvocateoando o o forotheopetitioner.o o o o Mr.oAmitoJain,oSr.oAdvocateo o o withoMr.oFerryoSofat,oAddl.AG.,oPunjabo o o andoMr.oSandeepoJain,oAddl.AG.,oPunjab.o o o o Mr.oD.V.Sharma,oSr.oAdvocateo o o withoMr.oTusharoSharma,oAdvocateo o o fororespondentono.2.o o o o Mr.oShailendraoJain,oSr.oAdvocateo o o withoMs.oNavneetoKaur,oAdvocateo o o Mr.oMunishoSharma,oAdvocateo o o andoMr.oNeerajoMadaan,oAdvocateo o o fororespondentono.3.o o o o o o *****o LISAoGILL,oJ.o

1.o o Prayeroinothisowritopetitionoisoforosettingoasideonotificationodatedo

17.02.2023,oAnnexureoP-14,owherebyopetitionerohasobeenoremovedofromotheo postoofoPresident,oM.CoJalalabado(W),oPunjabo(foroshorto'M.C.oJalalabad)oino termsoofoSectiono22oofotheoPunjaboMunicipaloAct,o1911o(foroshorto'theo1911o Act').o

2.o o Briefofactsoasopleadedoinotheowritopetitionoareothatopetitionerowaso CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 2oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo electedoasoMunicipaloCouncillor,ofromoWardoNo.o2oofotheoM.CoJalalabad,oino Februaryo 2021o ando thereaftero heo waso unanimouslyo electedotoo theoposto ofo MunicipaloCouncilor,oJalalabadoono26.04.2021.oItoisosubmittedothatopetitionero wasocarryingoonowithogoodoworkoforotheocityoofoJalalabadoandodevelopmento workso wereo beingo carriedo outo byo theo petitionero ino ao dedicatedo fashion.o Respondento no.3,o ito iso statedo waso electedo aso Membero ofo Legislativeo Assemblyo(MLA)oinotheomonthoofoMarcho2022.oRespondentono.3,oitoisostatedo belongso too theo presento rulingo partyo ando immediatelyo ono beingo electedo aso MLA,orespondentono.o3ostartedopressurizingotheopetitionerotooworkoasoperohiso wishes.o Thiso waso soo aso petitionero statedlyo supportedo theo rivalo candidateo belongingotoohisoownoparty,othusoofferingostiffooppositionotoorespondentono.3.o Whenotheopetitionerorefusedotooactoaccordingotoorespondentono.3,oheoallegedlyo startedomakingoeffortsotoodislodgeotheopetitionerofromotheopostoofoPresident.oAo frivolouso complainto datedo 27.06.2022,o ito iso submitted,o waso lodgedo byo respondento no.3o allegingo bunglingo ino theo developmento workso byo Nagaro Council,oJalalabadoandoNagaroPanchayat,obeforeotheoHon'bleoChiefoMinister,o Punjab.oVigilanceoenquiryowasomarkedoonotheobasisoofotheosaidocomplaint.oIto iso pleadedo thato petitionero waso nevero associatedo witho thiso enquiryo byo theo Vigilanceo ando aftero thiso oneo sidedo exercise,o Chiefo Vigilanceo Officer,o submittedo ao reporto ono theo basiso ofo whicho showo causeo noticeo datedo

17.10.2022,oAnnexureoP-2,owasoissuedotootheopetitioner.oCopyoofoVigilanceo Report,oitoisosubmittedowasonotosuppliedotootheopetitioner.oo

3.o o DetailsoofotheoChargesoagainstotheopetitionerowasoprovidedoalongo withoshowocauseonoticeostatingothatotheopetitioneroisoliableotoobeopunishedo underoSectiono22oando50oofotheo1911oAct.oThreeochargesowereoleveledoagainsto theo petitioner.o Firsto chargeo againsto theo petitionero iso thato petitionero byo misusingohisopositionoasoPresidentoofoM.CoJalalabad,ohadoaoroadocarvedooutoino CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 3oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo hisoprivateopropertyofromoFerozepuroFazilkaoroadotooAraianoWalaoRoad.oTheo entireolandoisostatedotoobelongotootheopetitioneroandohisofamilyomembersoi.e.,o brotheroParmodoChaudharyowithoaoresidentialohouse,oaoschool,omultiplexoetc.,o presentoonotheoproperty,oalloofowhichoisoprivateopropertyoofotheopetitioner/hiso family.oItoisoallegedothatowhileogettingosanctionoofotheositeoplanoofoHarkrishano PublicoSchoolobyotheopetitioneroandoParmodoChaudhary,o40ofeetoroadowaso proposedothroughokhasraonos.o39/11,o39/15,o39/14,o39/13,o39/23o(privateolando ofopetitioner),ofromoAraianoWalaoroadoforoprovidingoaccessotootheoschool.oItoiso statedothatoasoperojamabandioforotheoyearo2013-14,opetitioneroandoParmodo Chaudharyo areo ownerso thereofo ando noto theo M.Co Jalalabado ando neithero iso constructionoofothisoroadotheoresponsibilityoofoM.C.oJalalabad.oItoisostatedothato asoperocopyoofotheositeoplanoprovidedobyooneocomplainant,onamelyoPawan,o presentoatotheospot,onoorevenueopassageoisoreflectedothroughotheseokhasrao numbers.oo

4.o o SecondochargeoisothatopaymentoofoRs.o4.34olakhsomadeotootheo firmoinoquestion,oregardingoworkoofoP&Lointerlockingotilesoonotheobermoofo theo maino roado fromo stadiumo too theo draino iso boguso aso theo tileso wereo noto installedoonotheositeoandowereonotofoundotoobeosooatotheotimeoofoinspectionoando noootherotypeoofoworkomentionedoinotheoestimateowasoseenoexecutedoatotheo site.oo

5.o o Thirdochargeoagainstotheopetitioneroisothatoonocheckingooforecord,o complainantoleveledoallegationsothatooil/fuelowasosuppliedoforotheovehiclesoofo theoM.CoJalalabadofromotheopersonalopetrolopumpoofotheopetitioner.oDetailso thereofofromo08.06.2021otoo21.10.2021,owereomentionedotherein.oo

6.o o Reply,oAnnexureoP-3,otoothisoshowocauseonoticeowasosubmittedo byotheopetitionerowellowithinotheostipulatedotime.oAdditionalofactsowereoagaino mentionedo ino hiso reply,o Annexureo P-4.o Ito iso statedo ino theo replyo thato allo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 4oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo allegationsolevelledobyorespondentono.3oareoincorrectobeingobasedoonopoliticalo considerations.oItoisostatedothatoenquiryohadobeenoconductedobyotheoChiefo VigilanceoOfficer,owithoutoanyointimationotootheopetitioneroandoneitherowaso heoassociatedowithotheosame.oPartoofotheostreetofromoAraianoWalaoroad,owaso statedotoobeoinoexistenceosinceo1970oasothereowasoaoCinema,oVickyoTouringero Talky,o nowo convertedo too Harkishano Multiplex.o Ino 1990's,o Santo Nirankario Bhawan,ocomeoinoexistenceoandoreferenceoisomadeotooResolutionoNo.o509o datedo29.05.2006,opassedobyotheoM.CoJalalabad,oforoincurringoexpenditureoofo Rs.1,00,000/-oonotheoroadofromoFerozepur-FazilkaoRoadotooSantoNirankario Bhawan.oFoundationoofotheoroadowasolaidobyotheothenoIrrigationoMinistero alongo witho theo theno Presidento ofo M.Co Jalalabad,o ando others.o Re-structuring/repairoofotheoroadoisostatedotoohaveobeenocarriedooutobyoMunicipalo Committeeoono23.09.2011,othroughoPWDo(B&R)owhileoconsideringoitotoobeoao publicostreet,owithoRs.oOneolakhobeingogivenobyotheoIrrigationoMinisterofromo hisoquota.oSiteoplanoofotheoschooloinoquestionowasosanctionedoandotheoschoolo becameo functionalo ino theo yearo 2013.o Thereafter,o restructure/o repair/o construction/oextensionoofotheoroadofromoArianoWalaoRoad/NewoLinkoRoad,o Jalalabado too Harkishano Publico Schoolo waso undertaken.o Rs.o 5o Lakhso waso beingogivenobyotheothenoMemberoParliament,oFerozepurofromohisoMPoLando Developmento(MPLAD)ofund.oInsofaroasolatestorestructuring/repairoofothiso roadobyoMunicipaloCommitteeoisoconcerned,oResolutionodatedo07.05.2021,o wasostatedlyopassedoinopresenceoofosenioroviceopresidentoandootheromemberso andoapprovedobyotheoDeputyoDirectoroono16.06.2021.oGeneralopublicoisostatedo toobeousingotheoroadosinceothenoforoaccessotootheoSchool,oMultiplex,oNirankario Bhawanoetc.o

7.oo o Ino respecto too theo allegationso ofo boguso releaseo ofo payment,o petitioner'so stando iso thato worko doneo hado beeno inspectedo ando verifiedo byo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 5oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo employeeso ofo theo Municipalo Committee,o Executiveo Officer,o Municipalo Counciloro ando Sectionalo Officero ando othero concernedo staff.o Paymento hado beeno releasedo aftero dueo verificationo byo theo saido officers.o Therefore,o theo petitioner,ocouldonotobeoheldoresponsibleoforotheosame.oo

8.o o Inoreplyotootheothirdocharge,oitoisoexplainedothatotheopetrolopumpo cameo ino existenceo ino theo yearo 2020o ando fuelo waso suppliedo too Municipalo CounciloatotheoaskingoofotheoExecutiveoOfficeroandonotoonoinstructionsofromo theopetitioneroandoonothisofactocomingotoohisonotice,opetitioneroimmediatelyo directedothatonoofuelobeosuppliedofromohisopetrolopump.oAsoperotheoreplyothereo isonooallegationoofoanyobunglingowhatsoeveroinotheosupplyoofofuelooroanyo incorrectobillsohavingobeenoraisedoandoin-factoduringotheoperiodosixomonthso prioro too constitutiono ofo theo presento Committee,o billso foro fuelo wereo mucho higher.oInotheosupplementaryosubsequentoreplies,oAnnexuresoP-4oandoP-5,o allegationsohaveoagainobeenodeniedowithocertainomoreodetailsobeingoprovidedo andoaospecificoavermentothatotheopetitionerowasonotopresentoatotheotimeoofo passingooforesolutionodatedo07.05.2021,oasoheowasoaffectedobyoCOVIDoatothato time.oPetitioneroalsoosoughtofreshoinquiryotoobeoconductedobyosenioroofficerso withoregardotoonoticeodatedo17.12.2022,oissuedounderoSectionso22oando50oofo theo1911oAct.oo

9.o o PrincipaloSecretary,oGovernmentoofoPunjab,opassedoimpugnedo orderodatedo17.02.2023,owhereinopetitionerowasoremovedofromotheopostoofo President,o M.Co Jalalabad,o keepingo ino viewo theo enquiryo conductedo byo theo ChiefoVigilanceoOfficeroandoinoviewoofotheochargesoleveledounderoSectiono22o ofotheo1911oAct.oOrderohasonotobeenopassedounderoSectiono50oofotheo1911o Act.oo

10.o o Aggrievedotherefrom,opresentowritopetitionohasobeenofiled.o

11.o o Learnedo senioro counselo foro theo petitionero vehementlyo arguedo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 6oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo thatotheoentireoexerciseoisoaomalaofideoone,oatotheobehestooforespondentono.3o ando iso motivatedo solelyo byo politicalo considerations.o Ito iso contendedo thato impugnedoorderoisocompletelyovitiatedodueotoononoapplicationoofomindoandoino violationoofoprinciplesoofonaturalojustice.oItoisoarguedothatoaodemocraticallyo electedocandidateohasobeenoremovedoinoanoabsolutelyoillegaloandoarbitraryo mannerowithoutoevenobeingoassociatedowithotheoallegedoenquiryoconductedobyo theoChiefo VigilanceoOfficer.o Furthermore,o nooopportunityo ofohearingo waso providedotootheopetitioner,owhoocouldohaveopresentedotheoentireofactsobeforeo theo authorityo concerned.o Moreover,o allegationso aso raisedo areo neithero supportedobyoevidenceoonorecordoandoneitherocanotheyoamountotoomisuseoofo powersobyotheopetitioner.oPartoofotheoroadoinoquestion,oitoisocontendedohaso beenoinoexistenceosinceotheoyearo1970oandootheropartofromoFerozepur-Fazilkao Roado too Nirankario Roado laido downo ino theo yearo 2006,o ando theno extended/repairedoino2011oandothenoconstruction/extensionofromoArianoWalao Roado(fromotheoalreadyoexistingoroadosinceo1970)otootheoSchoolowasocarriedo outoinotheoyearo2013.oExpenditureothereofowasoincurredobyotheoMunicipalo Council.o

12.o o LearnedoseniorocounseloreferredotooResolutionodatedo29.05.2006,o passedo byo theo M.Co Jalalabado ando referso too itemo ato serialo no.o 15o i.e.,o developmentoofostreetoofoSantoNirankarioBhawanoi.e.,opartoofotheostreetoino questiono fromo Ferozepur-Fazilkao Roado too saido Bhawan.o Referenceo waso thereafteromadeotooaodetailedoestimateoforoprovisionoofointerlockingotilesofromo Ferozepuro Farilkao Roado too Nirankario Bhawano streeto ofo Wardo No.o 8,o Annexureo P-8o ando thereafter,o communicationo datedo 26.04.2013o fromo theo ExecutiveoEngineeroConstructionoDivisionoNo.1,oPWDo(B&R),oFerozepur,otoo aocontractoroinorespectotooconstructionoofonewolinkoroado(Compactionoofoeartho toooneocoatosurfaceodressing)oJalalabad-PireoKeoRoado(statedlyosynonymouso CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 7oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo witho Araianwalao road)o too Guruo Harkrishano Publico Schoolo (Lengtho 0.20o K.M.),otoosubmitothatotheoroadoinoquestionohasobeenoinoexistenceosinceoao numberoofoyearsowhenotheopetitionerowasonotoremotelyoassociatedowithotheo MunicipaloCouncil,othereforeophantomoofomisuseoofopositionoofoPresident,o MCohasobeenoillegallyoraised.o

13.o o Insofaro as,o resolutiono datedo 07.05.2021,o Annexureo P-10o iso concerned,o ito hado beeno passedo undero theo Presidentshipo ofo Smt.o Nataliyao (SenioroViceoPresident),oasotheopetitionerowasosufferingofromoCOVIDoatothato time.o Proposalo No.o 15o dealso witho 51o itemso includingo theo oneo foro layingo interlockingotilesoinostreetoParmodoChaudharyoAriyanoWalaoRoad.oLearnedo seniorocounselofurtherosubmitsothatoheohasocategoricoinstructionsotoostateothato neitherotheopetitioneronorohisofamilyomembersowouldoeverostakeoanyoclaimo whatsoeverotootheolandoonowhichotheostreet/roadohasobeenoconstructedoando thato theyo wouldo submito theiro undertakingo too thiso effect.o Learnedo senioro counseloarguesothatoasotheoroadoconstructedobyotheoMunicipaloCouncilohaso beenoinoexistenceoforosucholongoyears,otheosameoisoin-factoaopublicostreetoaso definedoinoSectiono3(13)o(a)o&o(b)oofotheo1911oAct.oInorespectotoosecondo chargeoregardingobogusopaymentsotootheocontractororegardingointerlockingo tileso ino drain,o maino road,o stadium,o theo worko waso undertakeno byo theo employeeso ofo Municipalo Councilo aso pero ruleso ando theo entireo worko waso verifiedobyotheoExecutiveoOfficer,oMunicipaloEngineeroandoSectionaloOfficero ofoM.CoJalalabadoandoonlyothen,opetitioneroonotheobasisoofotheiroverificationo hadoappendedohisosignatures.oNooulterioromotiveooromalaofidesoareoprovedoono recordoneitheroisothereoanyoallegationoofoanyounlawfulogainotootheopetitionerooro lossotootheoMunicipaloCouncil,owhichoisoprovedoonorecord.oFurthermore,othereo isonoobunglingowhatsoeveroinotheosupplyoofofuelotootheoMunicipaloCouncil.o Petitioneroimmediatelyoonocomingotooknowoofosupplyoofofuelofromohisopetrolo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 8oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo pumpostoppedotheosame.o

14.o o Itoisovehementlyoarguedothatoprocedureoadoptedobyotheoauthorityo iso clearlyo illegalo ando arbitrary.o Furthermore,o merelyo ono theo basiso ofo ao Vigilanceo Reporto ino theo proceedingso ofo whicho theo petitionero waso nevero associated,oimpugnedoorderohasobeenoincorrectlyopassed.oLearnedocounseloforo theopetitionerosubmitsothatotheoimpugnedoorderoisoanoabsolutelyonon-speakingo ordero witho noo reasoningo beingo set-fortho byo theo authorityo too arriveo ato theo conclusion,o othero thano ao simpleo observationo thato reporto ofo theo Chiefo Vigilanceo Officero ando theo commentso areo foundo too beo acceptable.o Ito iso contendedothatononeoofotheopleasoraisedobyotheopetitionerohaveobeenodiscussedo andodealtowith.oItoisoreiteratedothatotheoentireoexercise,oasoundertaken,oisoao malao fideo oneo ato theo behesto ofo respondento no.3o whoo waso offeredo stiffo oppositionoinotheoAssemblyoelectionsobyotheopresentopetitioner,owhoobelongso too ao differento politicalo party.o Learnedo counselo haso referredo too certaino photographsoattachedoasoAnnexureoP-16oalongowithorejoinderotootheoshorto replyofiledoonobehalfooforespondentono.3otoosubmitothatorespondentono.3oiso activelyointerferingoinotheomattersoofoM.C.,oJalalabadoandoheoevenowentotootheo extento ofo occupyingo theo chairo ofo theo Presidento ofo M.C.,o Jalalabado ino theo photographsowithoaoviewotoodenigrateotheoauthorityoofotheopetitioner.oItoiso submittedo thato allegedo complainant-Pawano Kumaro aso mentionedo ino theo chargeosheet,ohasobeenoidentifiedotoobeosittingoonotheochairoofotheoExecutiveo OfficeroofotheoM.C.oJalalabad.oLearnedocounseloforotheopetitionerosubmitso thatostrangelyoinotheoreply/iesosubmittedobyotheorespondents,oitoisomentionedo thatoitowasoonlyoaogeneralocomplaintofiledobyorespondentono.3,ohoweverotheo sameoisobeliedobyoaobareoreadingoofotheochargesoandotheoimpugnedoordero whichoindicateothatopetitionerohasobeenospecificallyotargeted.oItoisothusoprayedo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 9oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo

15.o o Pero contra,o learnedo counselo foro theo respondent-Stateo vehementlyoarguedothatoimpugnedoorderohasobeenocorrectlyopassed.oPetitionero hasoclearlyomisusedohisopoweroinoorderotooachieveounlawfulogainoforohimselfo inasmucho aso ao roado haso beeno constructedo througho theo lando whicho iso admittedlyoownedobyohimoandohisofamilyomembers.oItoisosubmittedothatobyo wayoofoconstructionoofothisoroadobyotheoMunicipaloCouncil,othereoisonoogaino tooanyootheromemberoofotheopublicoasoegressofromoandoingressotoothisoroadoiso onlyoforoexclusiveouseoofoadmittedlyoprivateopropertyoofotheopetitioner/ohiso familyomembers.oItoisosubmittedothatothereoisonoopublicobuildingobelongingotoo anyootheropersonoinotheoarea.oNoopersonootherothanotheopetitioneroandohiso familyomembersoareotoogainobyoconstructionoofothisoroad.oGatesohaveoalsoo beeno erectedo byo theo petitioner.o Learnedo counselo foro theo respondent-Stateo furthero submittedo thato estimateo ofo Rs.o 23.35o Lakhs,o Annexureo R2/4,o foro constructionooforoadowasopreparedoonoverbaloordersoofotheopetitionerotootheo SectionoOfficer.oAgendaotoothisoeffectowasothenopreparedoandolaidobeforeotheo MunicipaloCouncil.oPursuantotheretooResolution,oAnnexureoP-10,oapprovingo theo sameo waso passedo ono 07.05.2021.o Mereo absenceo ofo theo petitionero ono

07.05.2021,odoesonotoinoanyowayoabsolveohimofromohisoresponsibilityoando complicity.oItoisofurtherocontendedothatoitoisobyowayoofoanoafterthoughtothato petitionerostatedothatoheowasosufferingofromoCOVIDoono07.05.2021,othougho thereoisonoopleadingotoothisoeffect.oPetitioner'soabsenceoonotheosaidodate,oitoiso submittedo iso onlyo ao futileo attempto too giveo ao colouroofo impartialityo too theo proceedingsoheldoono07.05.2021.o(Thisoisorefutedobyolearnedocounseloforotheo petitionerobyoreferringotoohisosubsequentoreplyoattachedoasoAnnexureoP-4,o whereinoitoisosoomentioned.)oLearnedocounseloforotheopetitionerosubmittedo thato merelyo becauseo thereo iso noo bunglingo etc.,o ino theo accountso regardingo supplyoofofuel,odoesonotoinoanyomannerosuggestothatopetitioneroisonotoguiltyoofomisuseoofo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 10oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo positionoasoheohasofurtheredohisopersonalointerestobyoallowingofuelofromohiso ownopumpotoobeosuppliedotoovehiclesoofotheoMunicipaloCouncil,owhileoheoiso theo president.o Furthermore,o petitionero cannoto beo absolvedo ofo hiso responsibilityoofobogusopaymentsoonlyoonospeciousogroundothatoheosignedotheo cheques/billsoonotheobasisoofoverificationobyotheoofficers.o

16.o o LearnedocounseloforotheoStateofurtherocontendedothatothereoisonoo requirementoofopersonalohearingotoobeoaffordedoinotermsoofosecondoprovisootoo Sectiono 22o ofo theo 1911o Act.o Showo causeo notice,o ito iso assertedo waso accompaniedobyodetailedochargesoagainstotheopetitioner.oEntireodetailsowereo madeoavailableotootheopetitioneroandoitowasoalsoostatedoinotheoshowocauseo noticeodatedo17.10.2022othatopetitioneroisoatolibertyotooinspectotheorelevanto recordoonoanyoworkingodayoatotheoconcernedooffice.oHowever,onooattempto wasoeveromadeobyotheopetitionerotooinspectotheorecord,othereforeoitodoesonoto lieoinohisomouthotoonowosayothatocopyoofovigilanceoreportowasonotosuppliedotoo him,oasoheoneveroeveroaskedoforoit.oItoisofurtherosubmittedothatothereoisonoo questionoofononoapplicationoofomindobyotheoconcernedoauthority.oDetailedo ordero haso beeno passedo ando sameo haso too beo reado ino theo contexto ofo theo VigilanceoReport.oLearnedocounseloforotheoStateosubmittedothatopursuantotoo submissionoofoVigilanceoReport,oactionohasobeenotakenoagainstoaonumberoofo personsoincludingosomeoformeropresidents.o

17.o o LearnedocounseloforotheoMunicipaloCouncilohasoalsooopposedo thiso writo petition.o Ito iso submittedo thato declarationo ato thiso stageo thato theo petitioneroorohisofamilyomembersowouldonotoclaimoownershiporightsooverotheo landoonowhichoroadoisoconstructedoisoirrelevantoandodoesonotoinoanyomannero reduceotheoseriousnessoofotheochargesoagainstotheopetitioner.oLearnedocounselo forotheoMunicipaloCounciloandoStateohaveoreferredotootheoobjectionsoraisedoino thisoregard,ovideocommunicationodatedo21.05.2021ofromotheoofficeoofoDeputyo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 11oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo Commissionero too theo Executiveo Officer,o M.Co Jalalabad,o whereino ito iso directedothatotheoworksomentionedoinoResolutionono.o15obeoconductedoonlyo afteropreparingoproperoestimatesoandooafterotheofundsoareoavailableoandothatoito shouldobeoclarifiedothatothisoworkoisonotobeingocarriedooutoinoanyounauthorizedo colony.oLearnedocounselosubmitsothatoonoearlierooccasion,opetitioner'somothero hadoraisedoaoclaimoforocompensationoforoconstructionoofostreet/roadobyotheo Municipalo Councilo ono hero land.o Hero claimo waso upheldo uptoo theo Hon'bleo SupremeoCourt,othusoputtingotheoMunicipaloCouncilotoomuchoprejudice.oItoiso furtherocontendedothatotheoestimate,oAnnexureoR-2/4owasopreparedoinorespecto tootheoroad/streetomeasuringo10ofeetoxo1384ofeet,owhereasotheoroad/streetoono theospotoiso30ofeetowide.oTheobilloclearedoisoforotheoroad/streetomeasuringo10o feetoxo1085ofeet,othereforeomisuseoliesoinotheofactothato30ofeetoroadohasobeeno carvedooutoinsteadoofo10ofeetoarea.oMisuseoofopositionobyotheopetitioner,oitoiso submittedoisoapparent.oItoisodeniedothatoimpugnedoorderodatedo17.02.2023,oiso aonon-speakingoorder.oItoisosubmittedothatotheowholeocontroversyohasobeeno consideredoinoitsoentityoandoallotheofactsonotedobyotheocompetentoauthorityo whileopassingoimpugnedoorder.o

18.o o Learnedocounselofororespondentono.3osubmitsothatoalloallegationso ofomaliceoandomaliciousointentoareovehementlyodeniedobeingoincorrect.oItoiso statedothatoitowasoonlyoaogeneralocomplaintosubmittedobyorespondentono.3oino regardotooallodevelopmentoworksohavingobeenocarriedooutosinceotheoyearo2017o andoitowasonotothatoanyoparticularopersonowasobeingotargeted.oLearnedocounselo whileobuttressingotheoargumentoraisedoonobehalfoofotheootherorespondentso submitsothatopresentoisoaoclearocutocaseoofomisuseoofoposition,owhereobenefito accruesoonlyoandoonlyotootheopetitioneroandohisofamilyoatotheocostoofopublico funds.o Noo publico welfareo iso involvedo ino constructiono ofo theo saido street.o Learnedocounselohasoalsoocontendedothatotheopresentowritopetitionoshouldobeo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 12oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo dismissedo foro concealmento ofo factso inasmucho aso thereo iso noo pleadingo regardingotheopetitionerosufferingofromoCOVIDoono07.05.2021,oneitherohaso heorevealedoinotheowritopetitionothatotheoestimate,oAnnexureoR-2/4owasodrawno upoatohisoverbaloinstructionsoorotheoagendaoforotheomeetingodatedo07.05.2021o drawnoupoatohisoinstance.oItoisosubmittedothatofactualopositionoisovirtuallyo admittedobyotheopetitioneroandoheohasoonlyoraisedofakeoandofumblingopleaso whicho holdo noo water.o Ito iso thuso prayedo thato theo presento writo petitiono beo dismissed.o

19.o o Weohaveoheardolearnedocounseloforotheopartiesoandohaveogoneo throughotheofileowithotheiroableoassistance.o

20.o o Atotheooutset,oitoisorelevantotooreferotooSectiono22oando50oofotheo 1911oAct.oo "22.o Resignationo oro removalo ofo Presidento ando Vice-o President.o–oo Whenevero ao Presidento oro Vice-Presidento vacateso hiso seato oro tendersoinowritingotootheocommitteeohisoresignationoofohisooffice,o heoshallovacateohisooffice;oandoanyopresidentoorovice-presidento mayobeoremovedofromoofficeobyotheoStateoGovernmentoonotheo groundoofoabuseoofohisopowersoofoorohabitualofailureotooperformo hisodutiesooroinopursuanceoofoaoresolutionorequestingohisoremovalo passedobyotwo-thirdsoofotheomembersoofotheocommitteeo:o [Providedo thato ifo ao resolutiono requestingo theo removalo ofo theo PresidentoorotheoVice-Presidentoisopassedobyotwo-thirdsoofotheo membersoofotheocommitteeotheoPresidentoor,oasotheocaseomayobeo theo Vice-o Presidento shallo beo deemedo too beo undero suspensiono immediatelyoafterosuchoresolutionoisopassed]o:oo ProvidedofurtherothatobeforeotheoStateoGovernmentonotifiesohiso removal,o theo reasono foro hiso proposedo removalo shallo beo communicatedotoohimobyomeansoofoaoregisteredoletteroinowhicho heoshallobeocalledouponotootenderowithinotwenty-oneodaysoano explanationoinowritingoandoifonoosuchoexplanationoisoreceivedoino theoofficeoofotheoappropriateoSecretaryotooGovernmentowithino CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 13oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo twentyooneodaysoofotheodispatchoofotheosaidoregisteredoletter,otheo StateoGovernmentomayoproceedotoonotifyohisoremoval.o o o

50.oLiabilityoofomembersoofotheocommittee.o-o(1)oEveryopersono shallo beo liableo foro theo loss,o wasteo oro misapplicationo ofo anyo moneyoorootheropropertyobelongingotooaocommittee,oifosucholoss,o wasteooromisapplicationoisoreportedobyotheoExamineroofoLocalo Fundo Accounts,o oro othero audito authorityo empoweredo byo theo StateoGovernmentoinothisobehalfotoobeoaodirectoconsequenceoofo hisoneglectooromisconductoinotheoperformanceoofohisodutiesowhileo aomemberoofotheocommittee;oandoheomayoafterobeingogivenoano opportunity,obyonoticeoservedoinotheomanneroprovidedoforotheo serviceo ofo summonsesoinotheo Civilo Procedureo Code,o tooshowo causeobyowrittenoorooralorepresentationowhyoheoshouldonotobeo requiredotoomakeogoodotheoloss,obeosurchargedowithotheovalueoofo sucho propertyo oro theo amounto ofo sucho moneyo byo theo Deputyo Commissionero ando ifo theo amountoiso notopaido withino fourteeno daysofromotheoexpiryoofotheoperiodoofoappealoprescribedobyosub-sectiono (2)o theo Collectoro ato theo requesto ofo theo Deputyo Commissioneroshalloproceedoforthwithotoorecoverotheoamountoaso ifoitowereoanoarrearoofolandorevenueoandohaveoitocreditedotootheo municipalofund.o

(2)oTheopersonoagainstowhomoanoorderounderosub-sectiono(1)oiso made,omayowithinothirtyodaysoofotheonotificationoofosuchoordero appealotootheoStateoGovernmentowhooshalloappointoanoofficerotoo hearotheoappeal:oandotheoappellateoauthorityoshallohaveotheopowero ofoconfirming,omodifyingoorodisallowingotheosurchargeo:oo Providedothatonoopersonoshallounderothisosectionobeocalledoupono tooshowocauseoafterotheoexpiryoofoaoperiodoofofouroyearsofromotheo occurrenceoofosucholoss,owasteooromisapplicationooroafterotheo expiryoofooneoyearofromotheotimeoofohisoceasingotoobeoaomember:oo Providedofurtherothatonothingoinothisosectionoshallobeodeemedotoo debarotheoaggrievedopartyofromoseekingoaoremedyoinoaocivilocourto againstoanoorderomadeounderosub-sectiono(1).oo

(3)oNothingoinothisosectionoshalloapplyotooanoassociateomember."o o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 14oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo

21.o o Itoisorelevantotoonoteothatoimpugnedoorderohasoadmittedlyobeeno passedoonlyounderoSectiono22oofotheo1911oAct,othough,ochargeoagainstotheo petitioneroalsoomentionsothatotheopetitioneroisoliableotoobeopunishedoundero Sectiono50oofotheo1911oAct,oasowell.oArgumentsohaveobeenofocusedoprimarilyo onotheoquestionoofoconstructionooforoad/streetofromoFerozepuroFazilkaoroadotoo Arianwalaoroadoonotheoprivateolandoofotheopetitioner.o o o o Specificochargeoinothisorespectoisoreproducedoasounder:-o "ItoisowrittenovideoletteroreceivedofromotheoofficeoofotheoChiefo MinisteroreceivedothroughoShrioJagdeepoKamboj,oM.L.A.oHalqao Jalalabado(West)ovideohisosemiogovernmentoletteroNo.o151odatedo

02.06.2022o againsto youo (Shrio Vikaso Deepo Presidento M.Co Jalalabad)othatoallotheoworksowhichohaveobeenodoneoatoMunicipalo CounciloJalalabadosinceo2019otillonow,othereoisohugeocorruptiono inotheosameoandoitohasobeenoprayedotooconductotheoenquiryoofotheo same.oOnotheocomplaintoreceivedoaboutotheosameoaccordingotoo theoenquiryoreportosubmittedotootheogovernmentobyotheoteamoofo Chiefo Vigilanceo Officer,o Localo Governmento departmento aftero conductingo enquiryo ono 04.08.2022,o 05.08.2022o regardingo theo differentodevelopmentoworksolastotimeoatoM.CoJalalabad,oaftero preparingotheoestimatesoofotheoworkoofoP/Lointerlockingotilesoino streetoparmodotooarianwalaoroadogotoapprovedobyotheoMunicipalo CounciloJalalabadovideoresolutionoNo.o15(38)odatedo07.05.2021.o Itofoundoonocheckingoatotheospotothatoaboveosaidostreetowhileo startingofromoFerozepuroFazilkaoRoadojoinsoatoArianwalaoRoado andothereoisoonlyooneoresidentialohouseopresentoinothisostreet.o Aparto fromo this,o thereo iso accesso fromo thiso streeto too Shrio Harkishano School,o Shrio Harkishano Palace,o Shrio Harkishano Cinemao ando Nirankario Satsango Bhawan.o Majorityo ofo theo propertyoabuttingowithotheostreetoatotheospotoseemsotoohaveoofo privateopersons.oItogotoinformedobyotheopersonsoofotheolocalityo thatoyouroresidenceoisoinothisostreetoandotheoadjoiningopropertyoiso alsoo yours.o Besideso this,o Shrio Harkishano Palaceo ando Shrio CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 15oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo

1.o Apartofromotheoabove,oitofoundofromoobservingotheorecordo availableoinotheofileoofopassedositeoplanoofoShrioHarkishanoPublico Schoolo thato siteo plano ofo Shrio Harkishano Publico Schoolo waso passedoyouoandoShrioParmodoChaudhary.oInotheoproducedositeo planoofotheoschool,othereohasomentionedo40ofeetoproposedoroado forogivingotheoaccessotootheoschool,owhichohasobeenomentionedo existingooutoofoKhasraoNo.39/11,o39/15,o39/14,o39/13,o39/18,o 39/23o fromo Araiano Walao Road.o Whereaso accordingo too theo Jamabandioforotheoyearo2013-o14oattachedowithotheositeoplan,oyouo andoShrioParmodoChaudharyohaveotheoownershipoofoaboveosaido KhasraoNumbersodescribedoinoKhewatoNo.604/70.oFromowhich,o itoisoclearothatoaboveoproposedoroadowideomeasuringo40?ofeeto roadohasotoobeotakenooutofromotheopropertyoofoyourselfoandoShrio ParmodoChaudharyoaccordingotootheoabove.oOwnershipoofotheo sameoisonotowithotheoM.CoJalalabadoandonorotheoM.CoJalalabado hasoresponsibilityotooconstructothisoroad.oAccordingotootheocopyo ofotheositeoplanoprovidedobyocomplainantoShrioPawanopresentoato theospot,othereoisonooexistingorevenueopassageoinotheseokhasrao numbers."o

22.o o PetitionerohasoputoforthohisocaseothatotheoroadofromoFerozepuro FazilkaoroadotooNirankarioBhawanoandoresidenceoofotheopetitioner,ocameoino existenceoinotheoyearo2006.oSameowasoextendedouptootheoSchooloino2011.o InsofaroasotheoroadofromoAraianoWalaoRoadoisoconcerned,opartoofoit,ouptootheo HarkishanoMultiplexoi.e.,oerstwhileoVickyoTouringeroTalky,owasoinoexistenceo sinceotheoyearo1970.oRestoofotheoroadoi.e.,ofromoArianwalaoroadoupotillotheo schoolostatedlyocameointooexistenceoinotheoyearo2013.oo

23.o o Despiteospecificoandopointedoqueriesotoolearnedocounseloforotheo StateoasowelloasoMunicipaloCouncil,onooresponseoisoforthcomingowhichowouldo rendero anyo clarityo ono theo questiono aso too whicho parto ofo theo roado waso constructedoatowhatopointoofotime.oItoisopertinentotoonoteoatothisostageothato existenceoofo partsoofo theoroado aso mentioned,o at-leasto fromo theo yearo 2006o onwardsoisoindicatedofromotheodocumentsoonorecordoandoisoin-factoadmittedo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 16oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo byotheoStateoandoMunicipaloCouncil.oo

24.o o Atothisostage,oweodeemoitoappropriateotooreferotooparao10oofotheo preliminaryoobjections/osubmissionsoofotheowrittenostatementofiledoonobehalfo ofo respondento no.2-Executiveo Officer,o Municipalo Council,oJalalabad.o Itoiso statedo thereino thato Chiefo Vigilanceo Officero ofo theo Departmento ofo Localo Government,oPunjab,oonoconductingoanoenquiryofoundothato40ofeetoapprovedo roado haso beeno constructedo ono theo privateo lando ato theo instanceo ofo Nagaro Council,oJalalabad.oHowever,oasoperotheositeoplan,oAnnexureoR-2/9oplacedoono recordosubsequentlyoono12.04.2023obyolearnedocounseloforotheoState,owidthoofo theoexistingoroadoisomentionedoaso30ofeet.oItohasofurtherobeenostatedoinoreplyo tooparao9oofotheowritopetitionothatoRs.o23.35oLakhsohasobeenoincurredoonotheo roadoleadingofromoFerozepur-FazilkaoRoadotooNirankarioBhawan,owhereaso theoexpenditureowasospentoforoconstructionoofoaoprivateoroadowhichoisoshowno inoblackocolouroinotheositeoplanoattachedoasoAnnexureoR-2/3,owidthoofotheoroado beingomentionedoaso40ofeet.oWeoreiterateothatodespiteopointedoquery,oexacto dimensionsoofotheoroad/partsoofotheoroadooverotheoyearsoareonotoforthcomingo andoneitheroisothereoanyodiscussionoinothisoregardoinotheoimpugnedoorder.o

25.o o oDuringotheocourseoofoarguments,oweohadoaskedolearnedocounselo forotheorespondent-StateoandoMunicipaloCouncilotoosubmitodetailsotooinformo asotoowhetherootherostreets,otheorepairoandorestructuringoofowhichohasobeeno approvedoasomentionedoinoProposaloNo.o15oofoResolutionodatedo07.05.2021,o areosituatedoonoprivateolandooroonoMunicipaloLand.oThisoquestionowasoraisedoo asoProposaloNo.o15odealsowithoasomanyoaso51oworksoincludingorepairoetc.,oofo abouto36ostreets/oroadsowhichoareoreferredotoobyoname/s,otheoworkoatoserialono.o 50oando51oi.e.,olayingointerlockingotilesoF.F.oRoadoonobermsoFromoHarialeo ShopotooHouseoofoEx.M.PoandolayingointerlockingotilesoF.FoRoadoonobermso fromoBSFoSectorotooNr.oBhammaoChakki,oforoanoestimateoofo98.46olakhso CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 17oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo each,obeingoapprovedoadditionallyoono07.05.2021.oo

26.o o Ato theo timeo ofo arguments,o learnedo counselo foro theo petitionero orallyostatedothatoallotheostreetsomentionedounderoProposaloNo.o15oareolocatedo ono privateo land.o However,o learnedo counselo foro theo Stateo oro Municipalo Counciloneitheroverifyonorodenyotheosame.oItoisostatedobyolearnedocounseloforo theoStateothatoheoisonotoinopossessionoofonecessaryoinformationoinothisorespect.o

27.o o Theo issueo ofo othero streetso ofo whicho theo repairo haso beeno undertakeno beingo ono privateo oro Municipalo Councilo land,o haso noto beeno touchedoandothereoisonotoaowhisperoinotheoorderoaboutotheoimpactoorootherwiseo thereofooroactionowhichohasobeenotakenoagainstootheropersons.o

28.o o Perusaloofoorderodatedo17.02.2023,oindeedorevealsothatothereoiso copiousonarrationoofofactsobyotheoauthority.oReferenceohasobeenomadeotootheo reportoofoChiefoVigilanceoOfficer,oLocaloGovernment,oPunjab.oReferenceoiso alsoomadeotoocommentsoofotheoChiefoVigilanceoOfficer,owhichowereocalledo foro byo theo authority,o besideso replyo too showo causeo noticeo issuedo too theo petitioner.oThereafter,owhileoreferringotoocommentsoofotheoChiefoVigilanceo Officer,oitoisosimplyoobservedothatoallegationsoofomisuseoofopoweroandomisuseo ofo fundso ofo M.Co Jalalabado areo proved.o Nono applicationo ofo mindo byo theo authorityoinoquestionoisoreflectedoclearlyoasothereoisonotoaoshredooforeasoningo available.oo

29.o o Ito iso too beo notedo thato petitionero iso ao democraticallyo electedo candidate.oSeriousoallegationsoofomisuseoofohisopositionohaveobeenoleveledo againstohim.oThough,oitowasovehementlyoarguedothatoitowasoonlyoaogeneralo complaintofiledobyorespondentono.3oandonoospecificoallegationohasobeenoraisedo againsto theo petitioner,o ito iso mentionedo ino theo chargeso itselfo thato ao Semio Governmento Lettero No.o 151o datedo 02.06.2022,o waso receivedo againsto theo petitionerofromorespondentono.3oatotheoofficeoofotheoHon'bleoChiefoMinister.o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 18oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo ThereoisoalsooaoreferenceotoooneocomplainantonamelyoPawan,owhooisostatedotoo haveoprovidedoaocopyoofotheositeoplanoatotheospototootheoVigilanceoauthority.oIto iso pertinentotoonoteoatothisostageo thato copyo ofotheo vigilanceoreporto orotheo complaintobyoPawanoKumar,owasonotosuppliedotootheopetitioner.oSaidoreporto andocomplaintohaveoalsoonotobeenoannexedoalongowithowrittenostatementso filedo ono behalfo ofo theo Stateo oro theo Municipalo Council.o Though,o learnedo counseloforotheoStateostatedothatovigilanceoreportowasoinoregardotoonumberoofo otheroissuesoalso,othereforeotheosameowasonotoplacedoonorecord,oweodoonoto findo anyo merito ino thiso explanationo soughto too beo puto forth.o Equallyo misconceivedoisotheoargumentothatoasotheopetitionerohadonotoaskedoforotheo reportoinoquestion,oitowasonotosuppliedotoohim.oItoisoaosettledopositionoofolawo thatoitoisonecessaryotoosupplyotootheoaffectedoperson,otheoentireomaterialoupono whichorelianceoisoplacedoasoadmittedlyoseriousoconsequencesoflowofromosucho orders,othereforeoaocasualoapproachocannotobeocountenancedoinoanyomanner.o

30.o o Ato thiso stage,o ito iso pertinento too mentiono thato theo Hon'bleo SupremeoCourtoinocaseoofoTarlochanoDevoSharmaoVs.oStateoofoPunjab,o 2001o(3)oRCRo(Civil)o809,ohasoobservedoasounder:-o "6.oo Inoaodemocracyogovernedobyoruleoofolaw,oonceoelectedotoo anoofficeoinoaodemocraticoinstitution,otheoincumbentoisoentitledotoo holdotheoofficeoforotheotermoforowhichoheohasobeenoelectedounlesso hisoelectionoisosetoasideobyoaoprescribedoprocedureoknownotoo law.oThatoaoreturnedocandidateomustoholdoandoenjoyotheoofficeo ando dischargeo theo dutieso relatedo therewitho duringo theo termo specifiedobyotheorelevantoenactmentoisoaovaluableostatutoryorighto notoonlyoofotheoreturnedocandidateobutoalsooofotheoconstituencyo orotheoelectoralocollegeowhichoheorepresents.oRemovalofromosucho anoofficeoisoaoseriousomatter.oItocurtailsotheostatutoryotermoofotheo holderoofotheooffice.oAostigmaoisocastoonotheoholderoofotheoofficeo ino viewo ofo certaino allegationso havingo beeno heldo provedo renderingohimounworthyoofoholdingotheoofficeowhichoheoheld.o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 19oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo Therefore,oaocaseoofoavailabilityoofoaogroundosquarelyofallingo withino Sectiono 22o ofo theo Acto musto beo clearlyo madeo out.o Ao Presidento mayo beo removedo fromo officeo byo theo Stateo Government,owithinotheomeaningoofoSectiono22,oonotheogroundo ofo"abuseoofohisopowers"o(ofoPresident),ointeroalia.oThisoisotheo phraseowithowhichoweoareoconcernedoinotheopresentocase.o o o xxo o o xxo o o xxo

10.o oTheo expressiono 'abuseo ofo powers'o ino theo contexto ando settingoinowhichoitohasobeenousedocannotomeanouseoofopowero whichomayoappearotoobeosimplyounreasonableoofoinappropriate.o Itoimpliesoaowillfuloabuseooroanointentionalowrong.oAnohonesto thoughoerroneousoexerciseoofopowerooroanoindecisionoisonotoano abuseo ofo power.o Ao decision,o actiono oro instructiono mayo beo inconvenientoorounpalatableotootheopersonoaffectedobutoitowouldo notobeoanoabuseoofopower.oItomustobeosuchoanoabuseoofopowero whichowouldorenderoaoCouncilorounworthyoofoholdingotheoofficeo ofo President,o Inasmucho aso ano abuseo ofo powero wouldo entailo adverseociviloconsequences,otheoexpressionohasotoobeonarrowlyo construed.oYetoagain,otheoexpressionoemployedoinoSectiono22oiso 'abuseoofohisopowersoorohabitualofailureotooperformohisoduties'.o Theouseoofopluralo-opowers,oandotheosettingoofotheoexpressionoino theo framingo ofo Sectiono 22o iso noto withouto significance.o Ito iso suggestiveoofolegislativeointent.oTheophraseo'abuseoofopowers"o musto takeo colouro fromo theo nexto followingo expressiono -o 'oro habitualo failureo too performo duties'.o Ao singularo oro casualo aberrationo oro failureo ino exerciseo ofo powero iso noto enough;o ao courseoofoconductooropluralityoofoaberrationoorofailureoinoexerciseo ofo powero ando thato tooo involving,o dishonestyo ofo intentiono iso 'abuseoofopowers'owithinotheomeaningoofoSectiono22oofotheoAct.o Theo legislatureo couldo noto haveo intendedo theo occupanto ofo ano electiveooffice,oseatedobyopopularoverdict,otoobeoshownoexitoforoao singleoinnocuousoactionooroerroroofodecision.o

11.oOneoofotheorequirementsoofotheoprinciplesoofonaturalojustice,o aso incorporatedo ino secondo provisoo too Sectiono 22,o iso thato theo reasonsoforotheoproposedoremovalohaveotoobeocommunicatedotoo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 20oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo theo persono proceededo against.o Theo purposeo ofo sucho communicationoisotooenableohimotoofurnishoanoexplanationoofohiso conductoorohisoactooroomissionowhichoisolikelyotoobeoconstruedoaso ano abuseo ofo power.o Ito iso clearo thato theo factso constitutingo gravamenoofotheochargeohaveotoobeocommunicated.oItofollowsoaso ao necessaryo corollaryo therefromo thato whato haso noto beeno communicatedooronotoreliedoonoinotheoshowocauseonoticeoasoao groundoprovidingo reasono foro theo proposalo removalo cannotobeo reliedouponoasofurnishingobasisoforotheoorderooforemoval.oTheo personoproceededoagainstounderoSectiono22oofotheoActohasotoobeo madeoawareoofotheopreciseochargeowhichoheoisorequiredotoomeeto andothereforeoheomustobeoapprisedoofotheoexactocontentoofotheo abuseoofopoweroattributedotoohim.oTheoauthorityotakingodecisiono musto applyo itso mindo alsoo toobeo explanationo furnishedobyo theo personoproceededoagainstoandothisomustoappearofromotheoordero passedounderoSectiono22."o o

31.o o ItohasobeenoheldobyoaoFulloBenchoofothisoHighoCourtoinoStateoofo PunjaboVs.oBhagatoRamoPatanga,o1969oPLRo625othato'orderooforemovaloofo ao membero ofo ao Municipalityo iso ao quasio judicialo ordero ando theo competento authorityoisoexpectedotoogiveoanooutlineoofotheoprocessooforeasoningobyowhicho theodecisionohasobeenoarrivedoat.'oo

32.o o Theo Hon'bleo Supremeo Courto ino Krantio Associateso Privateo LimitedoandoanotheroversusoMasoodoAhmedoKhanoandoothers,o(2010)o9o SupremeoCourtoCaseso496owhileosummarizingotheoprinciplesoquaorecordingo oforeasons,oheldoasounder:-o "(a)oo Ino Indiao theo judicialo trendo haso alwayso beeno too recordo reasons,o eveno ino administrativeo decisions,o ifo sucho decisionso affectoanyoneoprejudicially.oo o

(b)o Aoquasi-judicialoauthorityomustorecordoreasonsoinosupporto ofoitsoconclusions.oo o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 21oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo

(c)o Insistenceoonorecordingooforeasonsoisomeantotooserveotheo wideroprincipleoofojusticeothatojusticeomustonotoonlyobeodoneoito mustoalsooappearotoobeodoneoasowell.oo o

(d)o Recordingooforeasonsoalsoooperatesoasoaovalidorestraintoono anyopossibleoarbitraryoexerciseoofojudicialoandoquasi-judicialooro evenoadministrativeopower.oo o

(e)oo Reasonso reassureo thato discretiono haso beeno exercisedo byo theo decision-makero ono relevanto groundso ando byo disregardingo extraneousoconsiderations.oo o

(f)oo Reasonso haveo virtuallyo becomeo aso indispensableo ao componento ofo ao decision-makingo processo aso observingo principlesoofonaturalojusticeobyojudicial,oquasi-judicialoandoeveno byoadministrativeobodies.oo o

(g)o Reasonso facilitateo theo processo ofo judicialo reviewo byo superiorocourts.oo o

(h)o Theoongoingojudicialotrendoinoallocountriesocommittedotoo ruleo ofo lawo ando constitutionalo governanceo iso ino favouro ofo reasonedodecisionsobasedoonorelevantofacts.oThisoisovirtuallyotheo lifebloodo ofo judicialo decision-makingo justifyingo theo principleo thatoreasonoisotheosouloofojustice.oo o

(i)o Judicialooroevenoquasi-judicialoopinionsotheseodaysocanobeo asodifferentoasotheojudgesoandoauthoritiesowhoodeliverothem.oAllo theseo decisionso serveo oneo commono purposeo whicho iso too demonstrateo byo reasono thato theo relevanto factorso haveo beeno objectivelyo considered.o Thiso iso importanto foro sustainingo theo litigants'ofaithoinotheojusticeodeliveryosystem.oo o

(j)o Insistenceo ono reasono iso ao requiremento foro botho judicialo accountabilityoandotransparency.oo o CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 22oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo

(k)oo Ifo ao judgeo oro ao quasi-judicialo authorityo iso noto candido enougho abouto his/hero decision-makingo processo theno ito iso impossibleotooknowowhetherotheopersonodecidingoisofaithfulotoo theodoctrineoofoprecedentoorotooprinciplesoofoincrementalism.oo o

(l)oo Reasonsoinosupportoofodecisionsomustobeocogent,oclearoando succinct.oAopretenceooforeasonsooro"rubber-stamporeasons"oisonoto toobeoequatedowithoaovalidodecision-makingoprocess.oo o

(m)o Itocannotobeodoubtedothatotransparencyoisotheosineoquaonono ofo restrainto ono abuseo ofo judicialo powers.o Transparencyo ino decision-makingo noto onlyo makeso theo judgeso ando decision-makerso lesso proneo too errorso buto alsoo makeso themo subjecto too broadero scrutiny.o (Seeo Davido Shapiroo ino Defenceo ofo Judicialo Candor.)oo o

(n)o Sinceotheorequirementotoorecordoreasonsoemanatesofromo theo broado doctrineo ofo fairnesso ino decision-making,o theo saido requirementoisonowovirtuallyoaocomponentoofohumanorightsoando waso consideredo parto ofo Strasbourgo Jurisprudence.o Seeo Ruizo Torijaov.oSpainoEHRR,oato562oparao29oandoAnyaov.oUniversityoofo Oxford,owhereinotheoCourtoreferredotooArticleo6oofotheoEuropeano ConventionoofoHumanoRightsowhichorequires,oo "adequateo ando intelligento reasonso musto beo giveno foro judicialodecisions"oo

(o)o Inoallocommonolawojurisdictionsojudgmentsoplayoaovitalo roleo ino settingo upo precedentso foro theo future.o Therefore,o foro developmento ofo law,o requiremento ofo givingo reasonso foro theo decisiono iso ofo theo essenceo ando iso virtuallyo ao parto ofo "dueo process."o o

33.o o Inotheopresentocase,oitoisoanoindisputableopositionothatoimpugnedo ordero haso beeno passedo witho ao bareo narrationo ofo theo factso ando simpleo observationothatotheoorderoisobeingopassedoonotheobasisoofotheoenquiryobyotheo Vigilance.oNoneoofotheopoints,oissuesoandocontentionsoasoraisedohaveoeveno CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 23oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo beeno considered,o deliberatedo upono ando thereaftero decidedo witho attendanto reasoning.oThereoisonothingoonorecordotooindicateothatotheorelevantorecordowaso lookedointo,oexaminedoandoconsideredobyotheocompetentoauthority.oPleasoofo theopetitioneroincludingotheooneothatopartoofotheoroadoinoquestionohasobeenoino existenceosinceo1970,o2006,o2011oando2013owithotheosameobeingoconstructedo outo ofo theo Municipalo Councilo fundso sinceo theno haso noto beeno dealto with.o Discrepancieso aso narratedo ino theo foregoingo paraso haveo alsoo noto beeno considered,o neithero theiro impacto oro otherwiseo discussed.o Ito waso indeedo incumbentouponotheoauthorityotoohaveolookedointooallotheseoaspects.oo

34.o o Ino ouro consideredo opinion,o ito waso theo dutyo ofo theo competento authorityotoolookointooallotheseoaspectsoandopassoaoconsideredoorderowitho appropriateoreasoning.oInotheogivenofactualomatrix,oweofeelothatoinoviewoofo seriouso allegationso raisedo againsto theo petitioner,o conscientiouso exerciseo ino accordanceo witho lawo shouldo haveo beeno undertakeno ando ano ordero havingo seriousoconsequencesoshouldonotohaveobeenopassedoinoaolackadaisicalomanner.o Anoorderoofosuchonatureoshouldoreflectoreasoningowithoseriousnessotheomattero deserves.oItoisoincumbentouponotheocompetentoauthorityotoorecordoreasonsoforo itsodecisionowithopreciseoclarity.oItoisotoobeopointedooutoatothisostageothatotheo officialo respondentso haveo alsoo noto placedo anyo materialo beforeo uso whicho wouldoindicate/reflectotheoprocessooforeasoningowhichomayohaveoenabledotheo competentoauthorityotooreachoitsoconclusion.oAsonotedoinotheoforegoingoparas,o relevantoissues,oimpactoofotheopleasoraisedoespeciallyoinoconjunctionowithotheo entireorecordohasonotobeenoconsideredowhileopassingotheoimpugnedoorder,o includingononosupplyoofoinquiryoreportobesidesotheocomplaint/oallegationsobyo oneoPawanoKumaroasomentionedoinotheocharges.oThereoisoindeedonoomaterialo tooindicateothatorelevantorecordowasocalledoforobyotheocompetentoauthorityoando examinedo ino righto earnesto too reacho theo conclusiono aso recordedo ino theo CWPoNo.o3684oofo2023o(O&M)o o 24oo 2023:PHHC:055779-DBo impugnedoorder.oo

35.o o Keepingo ino viewo theo factso ando circumstanceso aso above,o order/notificationodatedo17.02.2023,oAnnexureoP-14,oisosetoasideooandotheo matteroisoremandedotootheocompetentoauthorityotoodecideotheosameoafresho aftero consideringo theo entireo factso ando circumstances,o pleaso raisedo byo theo petitioneroandothereafteropassoaoreasonedoorderoafterothoroughoexaminationoofo theoentireorecordowithinofouroweeks.oCopyoofovigilanceoreportoandoanyoothero materialoreliedoonobeosuppliedotootheopetitionerowithinooneoweekowhooshallobeo atolibertyotoorespondowithinooneoweekothereafter.oMatterobeodecidedowithino twooweeksothereafter.oItoisoclarifiedothatothereoisonooexpressionoofoopinionoono theomeritsoofotheocontroversyoasoagitatedobeforeousoandotheosameoisowithinotheo realmoofoconsiderationobyotheocompetentoauthority.oObservationsoinothisoordero areoonlyoforotheopurposeoofodecisionoofothisowritopetitionoandoareonototoobeo construedoinofavourooroagainstoanyoofotheoparties.o

36.o o Writopetitionoisoaccordinglyodisposedoof.oPendingoapplications,o ifoany,ostandsodisposedoof.o o o o o o o o o o o(oLISAoGILLo)o o o o o o o o o ooooooJUDGEo oo o o o o o o o o o (RITUoTAGORE)o Aprilo20,o2023.o o o o o o oooooJUDGEo s.khano o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :o oYes/No.o o o o Whetheroreportableo o :o Yes/No.o oo