Shrinivas Sakharam Dudhgaonkar v. Union of India and Others

CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -1-o o o INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHo o 135o(2ocases)o o o o o o o o o o o o o CWP-19997-2023o o o o o o o o DateoofoDecision:o18.10.2023o ShrinivasoSakharamoDudhgaonkaro o o o oooooooooo,Petitionero Versuso UnionoofoIndiaoandoOtherso o o o ooooo ooooooo,Respondentso Witho o o o o o o o CWP-19951-2023o o o o o o o o o ShrinivasoSakharamoDudhgaonkaro o o o oooooooooo,Petitionero Versuso UnionoofoIndiaoandoOtherso o o o ooooo ooooooo,Respondentso CORAM:oooHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoJAGMOHANoBANSALo Present:-oo Mr.oRavinderoMalik,oAdvocateoforotheopetitioneroo o o Mr.oVipuloAggarwal,oSenioroPaneloCounsel,o o o foroUnionoofoIndia-respondentoNo.1o o o Mr.oA.S.oVirk,oAdvocateofororespondentoNos.2oando3o o o ***o JAGMOHANoBANSAL,oJ.o(Oral)o

1.k o Byo thiso commono order,o botho theo petitionso areo disposedo ofo aso issueso involvedo ino botho theo petitionso areo interconnected.o Foro theo sakeo ofo convenienceo ando witho theo consento ofo botho sides,o factso areo borrowedo fromo CWP-19997-2023.o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -2-o o o

2.k oo TheopetitionerothroughoinstantopetitionounderoArticleso226/227oofo theoConstitutionoofoIndiaoisoseekingosettingoasideoofoorderodatedo05.09.2023o (Annexureo P-20)o wherebyo petitionero haso beeno terminatedo ando ordero datedo

05.09.2023o(AnnexureoP-21)owherebyopetitionerohasobeenorelieved.oo

3.k oo Theo briefo factso ofo theo caseo whicho areo necessaryo foro theo adjudicationoofopresentopetitionsoareothatotheopetitionerovideoappointmentolettero datedo 29.12.2021o (Annexureo P-1)o cameo too beo appointedo ono theo posto ofo Associateo Senioro Designero ino communicationo designo disciplineo witho respondent-NationaloInstituteoofoDesigno(foroshorto'institute').oo

3.1k oo ooTheo respondent-instituteo issuedo ano advertisemento datedo

03.03.2022o(AnnexureoP-2)oinvitingoapplicationsofromooeligibleoandocompetento professionalso foro theo posto ofo Senioro Designero ino threeo majoro disciplines,o namely,o Industrialo Design,o Communicationo Designo ando Textileo &o Apparelo Design.oTheopetitioneroappliedoforotheoadvertisedopostoandorespondent-instituteo onotheobasisoofointerviewoselectedohimoonotheopostoofoSenioroDesignero(Directo Recruitment)oinotheoPayoLevel-12o(78800-209200).oo

3.2k oo Theo respondento issuedo appointmento lettero datedo 05.09.2022o (AnnexureoP-5).oInotheoappointmentoletter,oitowasomentionedothatotheopetitionero wouldobeoinitiallyoappointedoonocontractobasisoforotwooyearsoandoafterotwoo years,ohisoperformanceowouldobeoreconsideredoandoifoheoisofoundosatisfactory,o heo wouldo haveo too undergoo probationo periodo ofo oneo yearo beforeo hiso confirmation.oo

3.3k oo Theopetitionerovideoe-mailodatedo06.09.2022osentohisoconsentoando thereaftero signedo appointmento lettero ino tokeno ofo hiso consento too termso ando CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -3-o o o conditionsoofotheoappointmentoletter.oTheopetitionerojoinedoonotheoadvertisedo postoono09.09.2022.oTheopetitionerowasoassignedodutyoofoActivityoChairpersono (Edu.).o Theo respondent-instituteo foundo theo serviceso ofo theo petitionero unsatisfactoryo ando ono theo basiso ofo informationo collectedo ato internalo level,o formedoanoopinionothatopetitionerodeservesotoobeoterminated.ooTheorespondent-instituteoterminatedotheopetitionerowithoutoconductingoformaloinquiryoinotermso ofoshowocauseonoticeofollowedobyoopportunityoofohearing.oTheorespondent-instituteodidonotoconductoinquiry,oformingoanoopinionothatopetitionerowasoao contractualo employeeo ando aso pero termso ando conditionso ofo theo appointmento letter,oheocanobeoterminatedowithoutoinquiryosubjectotoooneomonth'sonoticeooro oneomonth'sosalaryoinolieuoofonotice.o

3.4k oo oTheopetitioneroisoassailingotermsoandoconditionsoofoadvertisement,o appointmento lettero ando terminationo order.o Aso pero petitioner,o termso ando conditionsoofotheoadvertisementowereocontraryotootheoStatute.oTerminationoofo theopetitioneroisoillegaloandobadoinotheoeyeoofolaw.o

4.k oo Learnedo counselo foro theo petitionero intero aliao contendso thato advertisementowasocontraryotooFirstoStatuteoofotheoNationaloInstituteoofoDesign,o Ahmadabado (foro shorto 'Firsto Statute')o aso madeo applicableo too N.I.D.o Kurukshetra.oClauseo30oofotheoFirstoStatuteoprovidesoforoclassificationoofotheo membersoofotheostaffoofotheoinstituteoasowelloasotheiroappointments.oAsoperosub-clauseo (2)o ofo Clauseo 30,o ano employeeo eithero mayo beo regularo employeeo oro contractualoforoaofixedoperiodowithopayoscaleoorocontractualoonofixedotenureo basiso witho lumpo sumo salary.o Theo respondent-instituteo dido noto makeo appointmento ofo theo petitionero ino termso ofo sub-clauseo (2)o (b)o ofo Clauseo 30o whereasoappointmentowasomadeoinotermsoofosub-clauseo(2)(a)oofoClauseo30.o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -4-o o o Theo respondent-instituteo couldo noto adopto hybrido system.o Theo respondent-instituteoeitherocanomakeoappointmentsoonocontractobasisoforoaofixedoperiodooro onoregular/permanentobasis.oConditionoNos.2,o4oando12oofotheoappointmento lettero areo contraryo too theo statutoryo provision,o thus,o deserveo too beo declaredo invalid.oTheopetitionerohasobeenoterminatedowithoutoconductingoanyoinquiry.o Heohasonotoevenobeenoservedoshowocauseonoticeopriorotoopassingotheoimpugnedo orders.o Theo impugnedo orderso haveo furthero beeno passedo byo ano incompetento officer.o Theo petitionero couldo beo terminatedo byo Directoro ofo theo institute,o whereasoimpugnedoordersohaveobeenopassedobyoanoAdministrativeoOfficer.oTheo respondent-institute,oasoperoRegulationo32oofoFirstoStatute,owasosupposedotoo constituteo ao Coreo Evaluationo Committeeo whereaso noo sucho committeeo waso constituted,o thus,o thereo waso noo appraisalo reporto preparedo byo ao competento authority.o Theo respondent-instituteo withouto gettingo reporto fromo Coreo EvaluationoCommitteeohasofiredotheopetitioner.oTheopetitionerosubmittedohiso self-appraisalo reporto ono 04.08.2023o foro theo periodo fromo 01.07.2022o too

30.06.2023.oTheorespondent-instituteohasonotoevaluatedoself-appraisaloreport,o thus,o impugnedo terminationo orderso haveo beeno passedo ino grosso violationo ofo principlesoofonaturalojusticeoasowelloasoserviceojurisprudence.ooo o

5.k oo Perocontra,olearnedocounselofororespondentoNos.2otoo4-instituteo submitso thato Clauseo 30o ofo theo Firsto Statuteo permitso theo instituteo too makeo appointmentoonoregularobasisoasowelloasocontractobasis.oThereoareotwootypesoofo contractsoi.e.o(i)ocontractoforoaofixedoperiodocarryingoapplicableopayoscalesoando allowanceso ando (ii)o contracto foro ao fixedo tenureo ono consolidatedo pay.o Theo instituteo cano appointo ano employeeo ono contracto foro ao fixedo periodo ando ono satisfactoryo completiono ofo theo saido period,o heo mayo beo appointedo ono CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -5-o o o regular/permanento basis,o however,o heo iso supposedo too completeo probationo periodoofooneoyearopriorotooconfirmation.oTheopetitioneroisomisreadingosub-clauseo(2)oofoClauseo30oofoFirstoStatute.oInotermsoofoClauseo2(b)oofoClauseo30,o theopetitionerowasoappointedoonocontractobasis.oTheoperiodoofocontractowasotwoo yearso whicho couldo beo furthero extended.o Ono satisfactoryo completiono ofo contractualoperiod,otheopetitionerohasotoobeoappointedoonoregular/permanento basis.oAnoemployeeocanobeoconfirmedoonlyoafterocompletionoofothreeoyearso serviceowhichoincludesotwooyearsocontractualoperiodoandooneoyearoprobationo period.oTheoinstituteoinitiallyoadoptedoFirstoStatuteoofoAhmadabad,ohowever,o Governingo Councilo ofo theo Instituteo haso framedo itso owno statuteo knowno aso Nationalo Instituteo ofo Design,o Haryanao Statutes,o 2023o (foro shorto '2023o Statute').oTheo2023oStatueohasocomeointooforceow.e.f.o05.04.2023oi.e.odateoofo publicationo ofo theo notification.o Clauseo 30o ofo 2023o Statuteo dealso witho classificationoofomembersoofotheostaffoofotheoinstituteoandoClauseo31odealsowitho methodoofoappointment.oInotheo2023oStatute,otheoconceptoofo'appointmentoofo employeesoonocontractoforolumposumoamount'ohasobeenoabolished.oNow,othereo areotwoocategoriesoofoemployeesoi.e.odirectorecruitmentoasoregularoemployeeo andoappointmentoonocontractobasisoforoaofixedoperiodoofothreeoyears.oTheosaido threeoyearsoperiodomayobeoextendedoforofurtherotwooyearsoonoyearlyobasis.oTheo contractualoemployeesoareoalsooappointedoonodirectorecruitmentobasisoandotheyo areoentitledotoopayoscalesoandoallowancesoasospecifiedoinotheofirstoschedule.oTheo petitionerowasoappointedoonocontractobasis,othus,orespondent-instituteowasoquiteo competentotooterminateohimowithoutoconductingoinquiryoasocontemplatedobyo Articleo 311o ofo theo Constitutiono ofo India.o Ino theo advertisement,o ito waso specificallyopointedooutothatoanoappointeeomayobeoterminatedoatoanyopointoofo timeoafterogivingooneomonth'sonoticeoorooneomonth'sosalaryoinolieuoofonotice.oIno CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -6-o o o theo advertisement,o ito waso specificallyo mentionedo thato candidateo wouldo beo initiallyo appointedo ono contracto basiso ando periodo ofo contracto wouldo beo twoo years.oTheopetitionerowithoopenoeyesoparticipatedoinotheoselectionoprocessoando signedoappointmentoletterowhereinotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoappointmento wereo dulyo jottedo down.o Theo termso ando conditionso jottedo downo ino theo appointmentoletterowereopariomateriaowithotheoadvertisement.oTheopetitioneroiso notoallegingothatotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoappointmentoletteroareocontraryotoo advertisement,o however,o heo ato thiso belatedo stage,o iso assailingo termso ando conditionsoofotheoadvertisement.oTheopetitioneroparticipatedoinotheoselectiono processo ando waso selected.o Heo furnishedo hiso consento ino responseo too theo appointmento lettero ando thereafter,o signedo appointmento letter.o Theo acto ofo petitioneroamountsotooacquiescenceoandoinoviewoofoprincipleoofoestoppel,oheo hasonooright,oatothisobelatedostage,otooquestionotermsoandoconditionsoofotheo advertisement.oTheopetitionerowasofreeotoochallengeotermsoandoconditionsoofo theoadvertisementopriorotooparticipating,ohowever,oheooptedotooremainoindolent.o Theopetitioneroatothisostageocannotobeopermittedotootakeosomersault.oo oo oo Witho respecto too terminationo ofo petitionero withouto inquiry,o Mr.o A.S.oVirk,osubmittedothatoasoperoClauseo12oofotheoappointmentoletteroasowelloaso settledoprincipleoofolaw,otheorespondent-instituteowasonotosupposedotooconducto regularo inquiry.o Theo petitionero haso noto eveno completedo oneo yearo ofo hiso contractualoperiodoandoheowasoappointedoonocontractobasisoforotwooyears.oTheo respondento goto variouso complaintso fromo theo studentso ando behavioro ofo theo petitionerowasonotocordialowithotheomanagement.oAfterocollectingoinputs,oano opiniono waso formedo ato theo levelo ofo Directoro ando thereafter,o petitionero waso terminated.o Theo petitionero haso beeno removedo fromo serviceo ando ito iso noto CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -7-o o o stigmatico ino nature.o Ito iso axiomatico ino serviceo jurisprudenceo thato duringo contractooroprobationoperiod,oregularoinquiryoisonotonecessarilyotoobeoconductedo unlesso ando untilo dismissalo ordero iso stigmatico ino nature.o Ino caseo ofo removal/dismissalo fromo serviceo simplicitero whicho doeso noto affecto futureo prospectsoofotheoemployees,oanoemployeroisonotosupposedotooconductoregularo inquiryooroissueoshowocauseonoticeopriorotoopassingoorderoofotermination.oo

6.k ooo Iohaveoheardotheoargumentsoofolearnedocounselsoforotheopartiesoando perusedotheorecordowithotheiroableoassistance.oo

7.k oo Fromo theo perusalo ofo recordo ando argumentso ofo botho sides,o theo followingoquestionsoariseoforoconsiderationoofothisoCourt:o I.k Whethero termso ando conditionso ofo theo advertisemento areo contraryo too Clauseo 30(2)o ofo Firsto Statuteo ofo theo Nationalo InstituteoofoDesign,oAhmadabad?o II.k Whetherotheopetitioneroafteroappointmentoonotheoadvertisedo posto couldo disputeo termso ando conditionso ofo theo advertisement?o III.k Whetherodismissaloofotheopetitionerowithoutoinquiryoisojust,o fairoandoreasonable?o

8.k o Theoquestions,oasoframedoaboveoforoconsideration,oareoadvertedo withoasounder:o Q.oNo.oI.oo Whethero termso ando conditionso ofo theo advertisemento areo contraryo too Clauseo 30(2)o ofo Firsto Statuteo ofo theo Nationalo Instituteo ofo Design,oAhmadabad?o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -8-o o o

8.1k o Beforeodwellingointootheocontroversy,oitowouldobeoaptotoolookoato Clauseo30oofoFirstoStatuteoasowelloasoClauseo30oando31oofo2023oStatute.oTheo relevantoextractsoofoClauseo30oofoFirstoStatuteoasowelloasoClauseo30o&o31oofo 2023oStatuteoreadoas:o Clauseo30oofoFirstoStatuteo

30.oClassificationoofotheoMembersoofotheoStaffoofotheoInstitute:o TheomembersoofotheostaffoofotheoInstituteoshallobeoclassifiedoaso under:o a.oFacultyomembersowhichoshalloincludeoDirector,oDeansoofo theocampuses,oPrincipaloDesigner,oPrincipaloFaculty,oSenioro Designer,o Senioro Faculty,o Associateo Senioro Designer,o AssociateoSenioroFaculty,oDesigner,oFacultyoandosuchoothero academicopostsoasorecommendedobyotheoSenateoandoapprovedo byo theo Governingo Council.o Theo facultyo memberso shallo beo appointedo eithero througho directo recruitmento oro promotion,o basedo ono theo recommendationso ofo Selectiono Committeeo constitutedobyotheoappointingoauthority.o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

(2)oAppointmentsoinoallotheoaboveothreeocategoriesoshallobeo madeoinoanyoofotheofollowingowaysoagainstosanctionedoposts-o a)oasoregularoemployeeoagainstoavailableopostsoonoapplicableo payoscalesoandoallowances;ooro b)o ono contracto basiso foro ao fixedo periodo upo too threeo yearso (extendableoforofurtheroperiodsoasoneeded)oonoapplicableopayo scalesoandoallowances;ooro c)oonofixedotenureobasisoonoconsolidatedopayoasoapprovedobyo theoGoverningoCouncil.o o o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -9-o o o o Clauseo30o&o31oofo2023oStatuteo

30.oClassificationoofotheoMembersoofotheoStaffoofotheoInstitute.o -o (I)o Theo memberso ofo theo staffo ofo theo Instituteo shallo beo classifiedoasounder:-o a)oFacultyomembersowhichoshalloincludeoDirector,oPrincipalo Designero(Professor),oSenioroDesignero(AssociateoProfessor),o Associateo Senioro Designero (Assistanto Professor),o Principalo TechnicaloInstructor,oSenioroTechnicaloInstructor,oDesignero (Faculty),oSenioroDesignoInstructoroandosuchootheroacademico postsoasorecommendedobyotheoSenateoandoapprovedobyotheo GoverningoCouncil.o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

31.o Methodo ofo appointmento ofo staffs.o -(1)o Theo officers,o teachersoandootherostaffsoshallobeoappointedoeitherobyodirecto recruitment,obyopromotion,obyodeputationo(includingoshort-term-contract),o byo absorption,o byo re-employmento oro byo contractoonotheorecommendationsoofotheoSelectionoCommitteeo constitutedobyotheoappointingoauthority.o

(2)oAppointmentsoinoallotheocategoriesoshallobeomadeoagainsto sanctionedoposts.o

(3)oTheoappointmentothroughodirectorecruitmentoshallobeoaso regularoemployeeoagainstoavailableopostsoonoapplicableopayo ando allowanceso aso specifiedo ino theo Firsto Schedule.o

(4)oTheoappointmentoonocontractobasisoshallobeoforoaofixedo periodoupotoothreeoyearso(extendableoforofurtherotwooyears,oono yearlyo basis)o ono applicableo payo scaleso ando allowanceso aso specifiedoinotheoFirstoScheduleoandotermsoandoconditionsoaso approvedobyotheoGoverningoCounciloonorecommendationoofo StandingoCommittee.o

9.k o oTheo petitionero haso assailedo Conditionso No.2,o 4o ando 12oofo theo appointmentoletter.oTheosaidoclausesoareoreproducedoasobelow:-oo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -10-o o o "2.oo Theoappointmentowillobeoinitiallyoonocontractoforotwoo yearso fromo theo dateo ofo joining,o extendableo furthero ato theo discretiono ofo theo Competento authorityo basedo ono theo performanceoappraisal.oOnoyearlyoperformanceoreviewobasis,o theo instituteo willo considero suitableo facultyo foro long-termo regularo appointment,o aftero successfulo completiono ofo theo contracto period,o againsto theo sanctionedo postso initiallyo ono probationo foro oneo year.o Ono satisfactoryo completiono ofo probation,o youo willo beo consideredo foro confirmationo ino theo saidopost.o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

4.ooo Asoaocontractoemployeeoonofixedotermotimeoscaleobasis,o youowillobeoentitledotootheofollowingofacilities:o a)oCasualoLeaveo b)oPrivilegeoLeaveo c)oHalf-payoLeaveo d)oMaternityoLeave/PaternityoLeaveo e)o Medicalo Reimbursemento foro selfo ando dependento familyo memberso f)oChildren'soEducationoAllowanceo g)oCommunicationoAllowanceo h)oAnyootherobenefitsoasodecidedobyotheoCompetentoAuthorityo XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

12.ooo Thiso contracto appointmento iso alsoo subjecto too yearlyo reviewoofoyouroperformance,oandoalsooliableotoobeoterminatedo withouto assigningo anyo reason,o witho one-montho noticeo oro noticeopayoinolieuoofotheonoticeobyotheoInstitute.oAtotheosameo time,oasoSenioroDesigner,oyouocanoresignowithoatoleastooneo month'sonoticeopriorotootheoendoofoanyosemester,osubjectotoo fulfilmentoofoyouroacademicocommitmentsoforotheosemester,o duringotheocurrencyoofotheocontract."o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -11-o o o o

10.k o Theoaforesaidoclausesoofotheoappointmentoletterofindomentionoino instructionso ofo theo advertisement.o Theo relevanto extractso ofo theo generalo instructionsoofotheoadvertisementoareoreproducedoasobelow:o "GeneraloInstructions:o

1.o Theo candidateso applyingo foro Teaching/Non-Teachingoo PositionsoonoDirectoRecruitmentobasisowithotimeoscaleoofopayo ando allowanceso shallo beo appointedo initiallyo ono twoo yearso fixedotermocontract.oOnoyearlyoperformanceoreviewobasis,otheo Instituteowilloconsiderosuitableofaculty/officeroforolong-termo regularoappointmentoagainstotheosanctionedoposts.o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

3.o Candidateso applyingo foro ao Teaching/Non-Teachingo posto bothoonoDirectoRecruitmentoandoContractoBasisomayoindicateo theosameoinotheoapplicationoform.oThereoisonooneedoofosendingo separateo applicationso foro sameo post.o However,o ino caseo ofo applicationo foro differento posto theo candidateo shouldo sendo separateo applicationso witho separateo applicationo feeo ino separateoenvelopes.o

4.ooo ApplicantsoagainstoDirectoRecruitmentopostoalsoowillo beoconsideredoagainstovacanciesoinocontractualopositionsoando ifofoundosuitable,ooffersomayobeomadeobyotheoInstituteotootheo suitableocandidates.o

5.oo Theo regularo ando fixedo termo contracto employeeso drawingo timeo scaleo ofo payo ando allowanceso iso presentlyo coveredo undero NPS.o Theo serviceo conditionso ofo theseo employeeso areo governedo undero NIDo serviceo ruleso (https://www.nidh.ac.in/rti)oasoadoptedobyoNIDoHaryanaoando beingoamendedofromotimeotootime."o

11.k o Fromo theo conjointo readingo ofo generalo instructionso ofo theo advertisementoandotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoappointmentoletter,oitocanobeo easilyo gleanedo thato conditionso ofo appointmento lettero areo pario materiao witho CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -12-o o o advertisement,othus,opetitioneroisoprecludedofromoclaimingothatoanyotermoando conditiono ofo appointmento lettero waso contraryo too theo advertisement.o Theo questiono lefto too beo answeredo iso whethero termso ando conditionso ofo theo advertisementoareocontraryotootheostatutoryoprovisions.o oo o FromotheoperusaloofoClauseo30oofoFirstoStatuteoandoClauseo31oofo 2023o Statute,o ito comeso outo thato respondento haso authorityo too makeo directo appointmentoonocontractobasisoasowelloasoregularobasis.oInocaseoofoappointmento onocontractobasis,otheorespondentoisosupposedotooprescribeoperiodoofoservice.o AsoperoFirstoStatuteoasowelloaso2023oStatue,otheoinitialoappointmentoonocontracto basisomayobeoforomaximumoperiodoofothreeoyears.oTheosaidothreeoyearsoperiodo asoperoFirstoStatuteocouldobeoextendedowithoutoouterolimit,ohowever,oasopero 2023oStatute,otheocontractualoperiodocannotobeoextendedoforomoreothanotwoo yearsoandotwooyearsoperiodocannotobeoextendedoinooneogo.oo oo o Fromo theo perusalo ofo 2023o Statute,o ito becomeso clearo thato respondento haso authorityo too makeo appointmento ono contracto basiso foro ao maximumoperiodoofofiveoyears.oFromotheoperusaloofooldoasowelloasonewostatute,o itocannotobeoconcludedothatorespondentohasopowerotooadoptohybridoappointmento systemoi.e.oinitialoappointmentoonocontractobasisoandothereafteroregularizeotheo contractualoemployee.oTheorespondentohasopowerotoomakeoappointmentoeithero onocontractobasisooroonoregularobasis.oInocaseooforegularoappointment,oasopero generaloprinciplesoofoserviceojurisprudence,oanoemployeeoisoinitiallyoappointedo onoprobationoofoaocertainoperiod.oInotheocaseoinohand,oneitherooldonoronewo statuteopermitsoinitialoappointmentoonocontractobasisoandothereafter,oonoregularo basis.oTheo2023oStatuteomakesotheothingsomoreoclear.oAsoperoClauseo31(4)oofo 2023oStatute,oaocontractualoemployeeomayobeoappointedoforoaomaximumoperiodo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -13-o o o ofofiveoyears.oThisoCourtofindsoitselfounableotootraceotheosourceoofoappointmento ofoaocontractualoemployeeoonoregularobasis.oThereoisonoosourceooroprovisiono whicho empowerso respondento too regularizeo ano employeeo whoo haso beeno appointedoonocontractobasisoforoaomaximumoperiodoofofiveoyears.oThisoCourtoiso furtherounableotoofindooutoanyoprovisionowhichopermitsorespondentsotooadopto hybridosystemowhichohasobeenoadoptedobyotheoresponded-institute.oLearnedo counselo foro theo respondent-instituteo duringo theo courseo ofo argumentso haso candidlyopleadedothatoinstituteoisoboundobyostatuteoandoadvertisementoasowello asofurtheroappointmentsoareoonotheobasisoofoandoinotermsoofostatute.oTheostatueo doesonotopermitotheopetitionerotooadoptohybridosystem,othus,otheorespondentohaso nooauthorityotoomakeoappointmentooforegular/permanentoemployeesoonocontracto basisoandothereafteroconvertocontractualoemployeesointooregularoemployees.o Theorespondentoisoempoweredoeitherotoomakeoappointmentoonocontractobasisooro onoregularobasis.oo o oo Inotheowakeoofoaboveofactsoandodiscussions,othisoCourtoisoofotheo consideredo opiniono thato conditionso ofo theo advertisemento whicho permito theo respondentotoomakeoinitialoappointmentooforegularoemployeeoonocontractobasiso andothereafteroregularizeohim,oareocontraryotooClauseo30oofoFirstoStatuteoando Clauseo31oofo2023oStatute.oItoisoaptotoonoticeohereothatoatopresentoFirstoStatueoiso notoapplicableotoorespondent,othus,oentireoappointmentsoareoboundotoobeomadeo inotermsoofo2023oStatute.o Q.oNo.oIIoo Whetherotheopetitioneroafteroappointmentoonotheoadvertisedo postocouldodisputeotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoadvertisement?o oo Beforeo advertingo witho theo questiono ino hand,o theo judicialo precedentsoneedotoobeoconsidered.o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -14-o o o

12.k oo AotwooJudgeoBenchoofoApexoCourtoinoTajviroSinghoSodhioando Othersov.oStateoofoJammuoandoKashmiroandoOtherso2023oSCCoOnLineoSCo 344o haso heldo thato candidates,o havingo takeno parto ino theo selectiono processo withoutoanyodemurooroprotest,ocannotochallengeotheosameoafterohavingobeeno declaredounsuccessful.oTheocandidatesocannotoapprobateoandoreprobateoatotheo sameo time.o Ao candidateo cannotoallegeothato selectionoprocesso wasounfairooro thereowasosomeolacunaoinotheoprocessojustobecauseoselectionoprocessowasonoto palatableotooaocandidate.ooo oo o InoRamesho Chandrao Shahov.oAnilo Joshi,o(2013)o 11o SCCo 309,o aftero referringo too ao catenao ofo judgmentso ono theo principleo ofo waivero ando estoppel,oSupremeoCourtodidonotoentertainotheochallengeotootheoadvertisemento forotheoreasonothatotheosameowouldonotobeomaintainableoafteroparticipatingoino theoselectionoprocess.oTheorelevantoextractsoofotheojudgmentoreadoas:o "24.oooo Inoviewoofotheopropositionsolaidodownoinotheo aboveo notedo judgments,o ito musto beo heldo thato byo havingo takenopartoinotheoprocessoofoselectionowithofulloknowledgeo thatotheorecruitmentowasobeingomadeounderotheoGeneralo Rules,otheorespondentsohadowaivedotheirorightotooquestiono theo advertisemento oro theo methodologyo adoptedo byo theo BoardoforomakingoselectionoandotheolearnedoSingleoJudgeo andotheoDivisionoBenchoofotheoHighoCourtocommittedograveo erroro byo entertainingo theo grievanceo madeo byo theo respondents."o oo o InoAshokoKumarov.oStateoofoBihar,o(2017)o4oSCCo357,otheoApexo Courtoafteroreferringotoocatenaoofojudgmentsomadeoanoobservationothatohavingo participatedoinotheoselectionoprocessowithoutoobjection,oprecludesotheocandidateo toochallengeotheoprocessoatoaolaterostage.oo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -15-o o o oo o InoUnionoofoIndiaov.oS.oVinodhoKumar,o(2007)o8oSCCo100,otheo ApexoCourtoheldothatoitoisowellosettledoprincipleothatothoseocandidatesowhoohado takenopartoinotheoselectionoprocessoknowingofullyowellotheoprocedureolaidodowno thereinowereonotoentitledotooquestionotheosame.oo oo o Theo Apexo Courto ino Sadanandao Haloov.oMomtazo Alio Sheikh,o(2008)o4oSCCo619ohasonotedothatotheoonlyoexceptionotootheoruleoofo waiveroisotheoexistenceoofomalaofidesoonotheopartoofotheoSelectionoBoard.oo oo o AotwooJudgeoBenchoofoSupremeoCourtoinoStateoofoUttaroPradesho v.oKaruneshoKumaroandoOtherso2022oSCCoOnlineoSCo1706ohasoclearlyoheldo thatoaocandidateowhoohasoparticipatedoinotheoselectionoprocessoisoestoppedoando cannotochallengeotheoselectionoprocess.oo oo TheoApexoCourtoinoMadanoLalov.oStateoofoJammuoandoKashmiro AIRo1995oSCo1088ohasoheldothatoifoaocandidateotakesoaocalculatedochanceoando participatesoinotheoselectionoprocess,oheocannotochallengeoselectionoprocessoono beingofoundounsuccessful.o

13.k oo Inotheocaseoinohand,otheopetitioneropriorotooparticipationoinotheo selectiono processo waso workingo witho theorespondent-institute.oHeo waso well-versedowithotheotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoadvertisement.oTheopetitionerowitho openoeyesoandowithoutoanyopressureoparticipatedoinotheoselectionoprocessoando heowasodulyoselected.oTheopetitioneroworkedowithorespondent-instituteofromo September'o 2022o too September'o 2023.o Aso noticedo above,o ito iso settledo propositionoofolawothatoaocandidateoafteroparticipatingoinotheoselectionoprocesso cannotochallengeotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoadvertisement/selectionocriteria.o Eveno ano unsuccessfulo candidateo cannoto challengeo advertisemento aftero CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -16-o o o participationoinotheoselectionoprocessoandoinotheocaseoinohand,otheopetitionero waso selectedo ando heo workedo ono theo advertisedo post,o thus,o heo cannoto beo permittedo too challengeo termso ando conditionso ofo theo advertisement.o Ito iso appositeotoonoticeohereothatopetitionerofurnishedohisoconsentoinoresponseotoo offeroofoappointmentoletteroandoheofurtherosignedoappointmentoletter.oo

14.k oo Theo petitionero ino supporto ofo hiso contentiono haso reliedo upono judgmentoofoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinoSomeshoThapliyaloandoAnotherov.oViceo Chancellor,oH.N.B.oGarhwaloUniversityoandoAnothero(2021)o10oSCCo116.oTheo relevantoextractsoofotheosaidojudgmentoreadoas:o "12.ooooo Itomayobeorelevantotoonoteothatofromotheoveryo inceptiono ofo theo advertisement,o untilo theo finalo recommendationso madeo byo theo Executiveo Council,o undisputedly,oaoregularomodeooforecruitmentowasofollowedo byo theo respondento Universityo makingo substantiveo appointmentobutotootheodismayoofotheoappellants,oasotheyo areonotoinotheoequalobargainingopositionowereoshockedotoo noticeotheoarbitraryoconditionsoofotheoletteroofoappointmento restrictingoitotoobeoonocontractobasisolimitedoforoaoperiodoofo threeoyearsowhichoeitheroofotheoappellantowasoneverobeeno madeoawareoofoatoanyostageoandoforotheofirstotime,osucho conditionsowereoincorporatedoinotheoofferoofoappointmento inocontraventionotootheostatutoryoschemeoofotheo1973oAct.oo o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

21.oo oTheo maino thrusto ofo submissiono ofo theo learnedo counseloforotheoappellantsoisothatotheoprocessowasoinitiatedo too holdo regularo selectiono pursuanto too ano advertisemento notifiedobyotheorespondentsoinotheoyearso2004oando2006oando aftero goingo througho theo rigourso ofo regularo selection,o arbitraryo conditionso wereo incorporatedo ino theiro offero ofo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -17-o o o appointment,oleftowithonoochoiceobutotooacceptoonotheodottedo linesobeingoinotheoneedoofoemploymentoandofurtherosubmitso thato theo schemeo ofo theo 1973o Act,o postulateso ofo makingo regularoselectionsoonotheo recommendationso madeo byotheo SelectionoCommitteeoconstitutedoinotermsoofoSectiono31(1)o readowithoSectiono31(4)oofotheo1973oAct,oandothatobeingotheo procedureoprescribedounderoChapteroVIoofotheo1973oAct,o incorporatingo arbitraryo conditionso ato thiso stageo ino theiro lettero ofo appointmento waso violativeo ofo Articleo 14o ofo theo ConstitutionoandoofoSectiono23oofotheoContractoAct,o1872o andoofotheoschemeoofotheo1973oAct.o XXXXoo o XXXXoo o XXXXo

42.ooo Theo submissionso ofo theo learnedo counselo foro theo respondentsothatotheoappellantsohaveoacceptedotheotermso ando conditionso containedo ino theo lettero ofo appointmento deservesorejectionoforotheoreasonothatoitoisonotoopenoforoao persono appointedo ino publico employmento too ordinarilyo chooseotheotermsoandoconditionsoofowhichoheoisorequiredotoo serve.oItogoesowithoutosayingothatoemployeroisoalwaysoinoao dominatingo positiono ando ito iso openo too theo employero too dictateotheotermsoofoemployment.oTheoemployeeowhooisoato theoreceivingoendocanohardlyocomplainoofoarbitrarinessoino theotermsoandoconditionsoofoemployment.oThisoCourtocano takeojudicialonoticeoofotheofactothatoifoanoemployeeotakeso initiationo ino questioningo theo termso ando conditionso ofo employment,othatowouldocostohis/herojoboitself.o

43.ooo Theobargainingopoweroisovestedowithotheoemployero itselfoandotheoemployeeoisoleftowithonoooptionobutotooaccepto theoconditionsodictatedobyotheoauthority.oIfothatobeingotheo reason,o ito iso openo foro theo employeeo too challengeo theo conditionsoifoitoisonotobeingoinoconformityowithotheostatutoryo requirementounderotheolawoandoheoisonotoestoppedofromo questioningoatoaostageowhereoheofindsohimselfoaggrieved."o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -18-o o o

14.1k oo Theorelianceoplacedouponosaidojudgmentoisomisplacedobecauseoino theoafore-citedocase,otheotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoappointmentoletterowereo contraryotootheoadvertisementobesidesostatuteowhereasoinotheocaseoinohand,oaso notedohereinabove,otheotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoappointmentoletterowereoino consonanceowithotheoadvertisement.oTheopetitionerocouldohaveoaocaseohadothereo beenotermsoandoconditionsoofoappointmentoletterocontraryotootheoadvertisement.ooo oo o ThisoCourtowhileoadvertingowithoQuestionoNo.Iohasoformedoano opinionothatoconditionsoofotheoadvertisementowereocontraryotooFirstoStatuteoando 2023oStatute.oTheoconditionsoofotheoappointmentoletteroareonotocontraryotootheo advertisementoandopetitioneroafterobeingoselectedohadoworkedoforoquiteosomeo time,othus,opetitioneroatothisobelatedostageoisoprecludedofromoraisingogrouseothato termsoandoconditionsoofotheoadvertisementowereocontraryotoostatute,otherefore,o hisoappointmentoshouldobeotreatedoasoregularoappointment.ooo o QuestionoNo.IIIooo Whetherodismissaloofotheopetitionerowithoutoin9uiryoiso just,ofairoandoreasonable?o

15.k o Hon'bleo Supremeo Courtoino plethorao ofo judgmentsoincludingoino ParvanendraoNarayanoVermaov.oSanjayoGandhioPGIoofoMedicaloSciences,o

(2002)o1oSCCo520,oAbhujitoGuptaov.oS.N.B.oNationaloCentre,oBasicoSciences,o

(2006)o4oSCCo469,oAllahabadoBankoOfficersoAssociationov.oAllahabadoBank,o

(1996)o 4o SCCo 504,o Chaitanyao Prakasho ando anothero v.o H.o Omkarappao (supra)oandoMathewoP.oThomasov.oKeralaoStateoCiviloSupplyoCorporationo Limitedo(2003)o3oSCCo263,oRajasthanoHighoCourtov.oVedoPriyaoandoAnothero

(2021)o13oSCCo151ohasocategoricallyoheldothatoregularodepartmentaloenquiryoiso noto requiredo whereo ao probationero haso beeno terminatedo byo ao lettero ofo terminationosimpliciteroandoitoisonotostigmatic.oo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -19-o o o

15.1k oo TheolawoelucidatedobyoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinofewoofoaboveo citedocasesoisonotedoforotheoreadyoreference.oo oo o InoParvanendraoNarayanoVerma'socaseo(supra)oHon'bleoSupremeo Courtohadotheooccasionotoodetermineoasotoowhetherotheoimpugnedoorderothereino wasoaoletteroofoterminationoofoservicesosimpliciteroorostigmaticotermination.o Aftero consideringo itso variouso earliero decisions,o theo Courto ino Paragrapho 21o held:-oo "21.o Oneo ofo theo judiciallyo evolvedo testso too determineo whetheroinosubstanceoanoorderoofoterminationoisopunitiveoiso tooseeowhetheropriorotootheoterminationothereowaso(a)oaofull-scaleoformaloenquiryo(b)ointooallegationsoinvolvingomoralo turpitudeooromisconductowhicho(c)oculminatedoinoaofindingo ofoguilt.oIfoallothreeofactorsoareopresentotheoterminationohaso beeno heldo too beo punitiveo irrespectiveo ofo theo formo ofo theo terminationo order.o Converselyo ifo anyo oneo ofo theo threeo factorsoisomissing,otheoterminationohasobeenoupheld."oo o oo oo InoMathewoP.oThomas'socaseo(supra)otheoemployeeowasokeptoono probationoforoaoperiodoofotwooyears.oDuringotheocourseoofohisoemployment,oheo wasoinformedothatodespiteobeingotoldotooimproveohisoperformanceotimeoando againothereoisonoosuchoimprovement.oHisoshortfallsowereobroughtotoohisonoticeo ando consequentlyo byo ordero datedo 16.01.1997o hiso serviceso wereo terminated,o whereinoalsooaoreferenceowasomadeotoohisounsatisfactoryoservice.oInotheosaido decision,o theo Supremeo Courto haso heldo thato ono theo basiso ofo longo lineo ofo decisions,oitoappearsothatowhetheroanoorderoofoterminationoisosimpliciterooro punitiveo haso ultimatelyo too beo decidedo havingo dueo regardo too theo factso ando circumstancesoofoeachocase.oo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -20-o o o oo o InoVedoPriyao'socaseo(supra),oHon'bleoSupremeoCourtohasoheldo thatothereoisonooindefeasibleorightoofoanoemployeeotoocontinueotheoemploymento untiloconfirmed.oTheoemployeeocanoclaimoprotectionounderotheoprinciplesoofo naturalo justiceo onlyo wheno theo removalo iso ino ao mannero whicho violateso hiso constitutionalorights.oTheoCourtoinoParagrapho19oheld:-oo "19.oooProbationersohaveonooindefeasibleorightotoocontinueo inoemploymentountiloconfirmed,oandotheyocanobeorelievedobyo theocompetentoauthorityoifofoundounsuitable.oItoisoonlyoinoao veryolimitedocategoryoofocasesothatosuchoprobationersocano seekoprotectionounderotheoprinciplesoofonaturalojustice,osayo whenotheyoareo"removed"oinoaomannerowhichoprejudiceso theiro futureo prospectso ino alternateo fieldso oro castso aspersionso ono theiro charactero oro violateso theiro constitutionalorights.oInosuchocasesoofo"stigmatic"oremovalo onlyothatoaoreasonableoopportunityoofohearingoisosineoquao non.o Wayo backo inoParshotamo Lalo Dhingraov.oUniono ofo Indiao[ParshotamoLaloDhingraov.oUnionoofoIndia,oAIRo1958o SCo36]o,oaoConstitutionoBenchoopinedothato:o(AIRop.o49,o parao28)o "28.o …o Ino short,o ifo theo terminationo ofo serviceo iso foundedoonotheorightoflowingofromocontractoorotheo serviceo ruleso then,o primao facie,o theo terminationo iso noto ao punishmento ando carrieso witho ito noo evilo consequenceso ando soo Articleo 311o iso noto attracted.o Buto eveno ifo theo Governmento has,o byo contracto oro undero theo rules,o theo righto too terminateo theo employmento withouto goingo througho theo procedureo prescribedoforoinflictingotheopunishmentoofodismissalo oro removalo oro reductiono ino rank,o theo Governmento may,onevertheless,ochooseotoopunishotheoservantoando ifotheoterminationoofoserviceoisosoughtotoobeofoundedo ono misconduct,o negligence,o inefficiencyo oro othero CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -21-o o o disqualification,o theno ito iso ao punishmento ando theo requirementsoofoArticleo311omustobeocompliedowith."o

16.k oo Theo petitionero haso contendedo thato terminationo ordero couldo beo passedobyoDirectorowhereasoimpugnedoterminationoorderohasobeenopassedobyo anoAdministrativeoOfficer.oo oo o OnotheoaskingoofotheoCourt,otheorespondent,oduringotheocourseoofo hearing,o producedo originalo recordo relatingo too terminationo ofo theo petitioner.o Fromotheoperusaloofooriginalorecord,oitowasofoundothatomatterowasoputoupobeforeo theoDirectorowhoohadoapprovedotheoterminationoofotheopetitioner.oTheoordero passedo byo theo Directoro hasobeeno communicatedothrougho anoAdministrativeo Officer,othus,oitoisowrongotooallegeothatoterminationoorderowasopassedobyoano Administrativeo Officero insteado ofo Director.o Theo petitionero waso certainlyo terminatedo byo Director,o thus,o contentiono ofo theo petitionero thato terminationo orderowasopassedobyoanoincompetentopersonocannotobeocountenanced.oFromotheo perusaloofotheoaforesaidofile,oitowasofurtherofoundothatoDirectorohadoconsideredo actoandoconductoasowelloasoperformanceoofotheopetitioneroandoonotheobasisoofo performance,oheohadoformedoanoopinionothatopetitioneroshouldobeoterminated.o Theo respondento ino itso replyo haso alsoo submittedo thato thereo wereo manyo complaintso ofo studentso againsto theo petitionero ando hiso performanceo waso noto satisfactory.o

17.k oo Theopetitionerohasoraisedoanotheroquestionothatoheosubmittedohiso self-appraisaloreportoono04.08.2023oforotheoperiodo01.07.2022otoo30.06.2023o andorespondentowasosupposedotooconstituteoaocoreoevaluationocommitteeotoo evaluateo performanceo ofo theo petitionero whereaso respondento withouto constitutingoaocoreoevaluationocommitteeohasoterminatedohim.o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -22-o o o oo o Theo respondento prioro too introductiono ofo 2023o Statuteo waso followingoFirstoStatuteoofoAhmadabad.oTheo2023oStatuteocameointooforceow.e.f.o

05.04.2023.o Thereo waso noo provisiono ofo constitutiono ofo coreo evaluationo committeeo ino theo 2023o Statute.o Theo petitionero submittedo hiso self-appraisalo reporto ono 04.08.2023o ando aftero theo introductiono ofo 2023o Statute,o heo waso governedobyosaidostatuteoinsteadoofoFirstoStatuteoofoAhmadabad.oThereowaso provisiono ofo self-appraisalo ino 2023o Statuteo buto thereo waso noo provisiono ofo constitutionoofocoreoevaluationocommittee,othus,othereowasonoolapseoonotheoparto ofo respondento ino noto constitutingo coreo evaluationo committeeo ando gettingo evaluatedo performanceo ofo theo petitionero fromo theo saido committee.o Theo performanceoofotheopetitionerowasodulyoconsideredobyotheocompetentoauthorityo andothereafterodecisionowasotakenotoodiscontinueohisoservices.o

18.k oo AotwooJudgeoBenchoofoSupremeoCourtoinoTheoStateoofoPunjabo ando Otherso v.o Jaswanto Singho (2023)o 9o SCCo 150o haso advertedo witho theo questionoofoterminationoofoanoemployeeowhileoonoprobation.oInotheosaidocase,o theoemployeeowasoappointedoasoaoConstableoandoheojointedodutyoono12.11.1989o asoprobationer.oDuringoprobation,oheoalongowithootherorecruitsowasodeputedoforo lawoandoorderodutyoinoAmritsar.oTheosaidoemployeeoandootherorecruitsowereo relievedofromotheosaidoduty.oTheosaidoemployeeodidonotoreportobackotooTrainingo Centreothoughootherorecruitsodulyoreportedoback.oHeoremainedoabsentoforoquiteo longotimeoandoS.P.,oTrainingoCentreomadeoaorecommendationotooS.S.P.othato employeeo hado noto showno anyo interesto ino theo trainingo ando lackso senseo ofo responsibilityoandoheoisounlikelyotooproveoaogoodoandoefficientopoliceoofficer,o hence,oheobeodischargedounderoRuleo12.21oofoPunjaboPoliceoRules.oTheosaido employeeo waso dischargedo byo S.S.P.o formingo ano opiniono thato probationaryo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -23-o o o Constableoisofoundounlikelyotooproveoanoefficientopoliceoofficeroowingotoohiso demeanour.oo oo o TheoApexoCourtonoticingofullobenchojudgmentoofothisoCourtoino Shero Singh,o Ex-Constableo v.o Stateo ofo Haryanao ando Otherso 1994o SCCo OnLineoP&Ho166oandoitsoearlierojudgmentsoinoStateoofoPunjaboandoOthersov.o Balbiro Singho (2004)o 11o SCCo 743,o Ravindrao Kumaro Misrao v.o U.P.o Stateo HandloomoCorporationoLimitedoandoAnothero1987o(Supp)oSCCoo739,ohaso heldothatoifoanoorderoisopunitiveoinonature,oanoopportunityoisorequiredotoobeo grantedowhereasoifoorderoofodischargeoisosimpliciter,oprocedureocontemplatedo underoArticleo311oofotheoConstitutionoofoIndiaoisonotorequiredotoobeofollowed.oIfo anoinquiryooroassessmentoisodoneowithotheoobjectoofofindingooutoanyomisconducto onotheopartoofoanoemployeeoandoforothatoreasonohisoservicesoareoterminatedotheno itowouldobeopunitiveoinonature.oOnotheootherohand,oifosuchoanoinquiryooroano assessmentoisoaimedoatoinodeterminingotheosuitabilityoofoanoemployeeoforoao particularo job,o sucho terminationo wouldo beo terminationo simplicitero ando noto punitiveo ino nature.o Theo Apexo Court,o formingo ano opiniono thato ordero ofo terminationo waso terminationo simplicitero ando noto punitive,o seto asideo orderso passedobyothisoCourtoasowelloasoCourtsobelow.oo

19.k oo Ino theo caseo ino hand,o fromo theo perusalo ofo terminationo order,o ito stareso thato terminationo ordero passedo byo theo authorityo iso ao simplicitero terminationoorderoandoitocannotobeocalledoasostigmatic.oCourtsocannotogoointoo subjectiveosatisfactionoofotheocompetentoauthorityoevenothoughoCourtocanolooko intoo procedureo followedo especiallyo wheno ordero iso passedo ino manifestlyo arbitraryo &o unreasonableo mannero oro witho intento too achieveo someo obliqueo object.oInotheopresentocase,otheopetitionerohasonoowhereoallegedothatoterminationo CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -24-o o o orderowasopassedowithointentotooachieveosomeoobliqueopurposeoorothereowaso malaofideointentionoofotheoauthorities.oTheoonlyoargumentoofotheopetitioneroiso thatoheowasoterminatedowithoutofollowingotheoprocedure.oThisoCourtofindsothato terminationoorderowasosimpliciteroandoevenoasoperotheotermsoofohisoappointmento letter,oheocouldobeoterminatedobyooneomonthonoticeoorosalaryoinolieuoofonotice,o thus,ocontentionoofopetitioneroisonotosustainable.oo

20.k ooo Beforeo concluding,o ito wouldo beo appositeo too mentiono thato ino answero too Questiono No.I,o thiso Courto haso heldo thato appointmento againsto permanento posto buto ono contracto basis,o iso contraryo too statutoryo provisions,o however,oinotheowakeoofoactoandoconductoofotheopetitioner,oheohasonotobeeno extendedobenefitoofopermanent/regularoappointee.oTheopetitionerojoinedoonotheo advertisedopostoono09.09.2022oandoheowasoterminatedovideocommunicationo datedo05.09.2023.oTheoprobationoperiodoofooneoyearohadotoocommenceoaftero completionoofocontractualoperiodoofotwooyears.oTheopetitionerowasosupposedotoo completeooneoyearoprobationoperiodoandoappointingoauthorityowasocompetento too terminateo serviceso ofo theo petitionero ono findingo serviceo ofo theo petitionero unsatisfactory.oTheopetitionerowasoterminatedopriorotoocompletionoofooneoyear,o thus,opetitioneroinoanyocaseowasonotoentitledotoobenefitoofoconclusionoofothiso Courtothatothereoisonooprovisionotoomakeohybridoappointment.o

21.k oo Ino theo wakeo ofo aboveo discussiono ando findings,o theo aboveo formulatedoquestionsoareoansweredoasobelow:-o i.k Thereo iso noo statutoryo provisiono whicho permitso hybrido appointmentoofoemployees.oTheorespondentocanoeitheromakeo appointmentoonocontractooropermanentobasis.o CWP-19997-2023o&oCWP-19951-2023oo -25-o o o ii.k Theopetitioneroparticipatedoinotheoselectionoprocessoandoheo wasofullyoawareoofotermsoandoconditionsoofotheoadvertisemento asowelloasoappointmentoletter.oHeoisoprecludedofromoassailingo advertisementoandoappointmentoletter.o iii.k Theo petitionero waso ono contract/probation,o thus,o theo respondentocouldoterminateoservicesoofotheopetitionerowithouto holdingo inquiryo contemplatedo byo Articleo 311o ofo theo ConstitutionoofoIndia.o

22.k oo Disposedoofoinoaboveoterms.o o (JAGMOHANoBANSAL)o o o o o o o o o o oooooooJUDGEoo

18.10.2023o MohitoKumaro Whetherospeaking/reasonedo Yes/Noo Whetheroreportableo Yes/Noo o