# Karnataka v. Muniyalla (supra) as for the

- **Citation:** (2012) 1 ILRA 271
- **Court:** High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
- **Decided:** 2012-02-27
- **Bench:** Syed Rafat Alam, C.J. Ran Vijai Singh
- **Source:** https://unisonlegal.in/judgment/allahabad-high-court/karnataka-v-muniyalla-supra-as-for-the-42117
- **Pages:** 2

## Headnote

Constitution of India, Article 226-delay
in payment of Death cum retirement
benefits-means
of
social
supportdirection of compound interest 10 %-
held proper but not to be treated
precedent for another case-Rs. 29000/-
cost awarded for harassment.

Held: Para 8

After hearing learned counsel for the
parties, on perusal of record and for all
the reasons stated above, the Court is of
the view that l

## Text

1 All] Yogendra Kumar, Constable No. 98 C.P. and others V. State of U.P. and others
271
Judge with a request to decide the same on
merits in accordance with law. The parties
shall appear before the writ Court as and
when the case is listed. Cost made easy.
---------
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL SIDE
DATED: ALLAHABAD 27.02.2012

BEFORE
THE HON'BLE SYED RAFAT ALAM, C.J.
THE HON'BLE RAN VIJAI SINGH,J.

Special Appeal No. - 385 of 2012

Yogendra Kumar, Constable No. 98 C.P.
and others

 ...Petitioner
Versus
State of U.P. and others ...Respondents

Counsel for the Petitioner:
Vijay Gautam

Counsel for the Respondents:
C.S.C.

U.P. Police Officer Subordinate Rank
(Punishment and Appeal) rules 1991Rule-17
(1)
(b)-suspension
on
contemplation of enquiry-contention that
no enquiry pending under Rule-17 (1)
(b)-suspension
order
not
legally
sustainable held-mere quoting wrong
provision can not invalidate order if
otherwise
good-however
enquiry
be
concluded within specific period-Appeal
disposed of.

Held: Para 6

In the case in hand, since the authority, in
the order of suspension, in place of Rule
17 (1) (a), has mentioned Rule 17 (1) (b),
the same cannot be said to be invalid in
view of the law laid down in State of
Karnataka Vs. Muniyalla (supra) as for the
reasons given in the impugned order of
suspension,
the
appellants
could
be
placed under suspension.
Case law discussed:
AIR 1985 SC 470
(Delivered by Hon'ble Syed Rafat Alam, C.J. )

1. This is an intra-court appeal under
the Rules of the Court against the order of
the learned Single Judge dated 07.02.2012.

2. We have heard learned counsel for
the appellants and the learned Standing
Counsel for the respondents.

3. It appears that the appellants, along
with one S.I. Salamat Kha, being aggrieved
by order dated 19.01.2012 placing them
under suspension pending enquiry, filed
Writ Petition No. 6888 of 2012, which has
been disposed of by the learned Single
Judge vide order dated 7th February, 2012
directing the respondents to complete the
disciplinary
proceedings
contemplated
against the appellants within three months
from the date of presentation of a certified
copy of the said order subject to appellants'
cooperation in the said proceeding. The
aggrieved appellants, therefore, preferred
this appeal.

4. Shri Vijai Gautam, learned counsel
for the appellant vehemently contended that
the order of suspension, impugned in the
writ petition, has been passed under Rule 17
(1) (b) of the Uttar Pradesh Police Officers
of the Subordinate Ranks (Punishment and
Appeal) Rules, 1991 (hereinafter referred to
as the 'Rules') by the Senior Superintendent
of Police, Etah - respondent no.3. He
submits that an order of suspension under
the said Rule ca only be passed against a
police officer in respect of whom an
investigation, enquiry or trial relating to a
criminal charge is pending. He submits that
since there is no investigation/enquiry or
trial relating to any criminal charge pending
against the appellants, therefore, the order
of suspension cannot sustain.
272 INDIAN LAW REPORTS ALLAHABAD SERIES [2012

5. We do not find any force in the
submission of the learned counsel for the
appellants. From the order of suspension, it
is apparent that the appellants have been
placed under suspension in contemplation
of enquiry in respect of certain charges of
misconduct. Rule 17 (1) (a) of the Rules
provides that a police officer against whom
an enquiry is contemplated or is proceeding,
may be placed under suspension. However,
in the said order of suspension, in place of
Rule '17 (1) (a)', Rule '17 (1) (b)' has been
mentioned. IIt is well settled legal position
that merely because an order has been made
under a wrong provision of law, it does not
become invalid so long as there is some
other provision of law under which the
order could be validly made. Mere recital of
a wrong provision of law does not have the
effect of invalidating an order which is
otherwise within the power of the authority
making it. (See State of Karnataka Vs.
Muniyalla, AIR 1985 SC 470).

6. In the case in hand, since the
authority, in the order of suspension, in
place of Rule 17 (1) (a), has mentioned Rule
17 (1) (b), the same cannot be said to be
invalid in view of the law laid down in State
of Karnataka Vs. Muniyalla (supra) as for
the reasons given in the impugned order of
suspension, the appellants could be placed
under suspension.

7. It is also well settled legal position
that an officer against whom an enquiry is
contemplated or any proceeding is going
on, can be placed under suspension.

8. We, therefore, do not find any error
in the order of the learned Single Judge.

9.

However,
considering
the
submissions made and direction issued by
the learned Single Judge to complete the
enquiry within a period of three months
subject to cooperation being rendered by the
appellants, it is provided that in the event
the proceeding is not concluded for any
justifiable
ground
despite
cooperation
rendered by the appellants, it would be open
to the respondents to consider to revoke the
order of suspension.

10. With the above order, this appeal
stands finally disposed of.
---------
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL SIDED
DATED: ALLAHABAD 17.02.2012

BEFORE
THE HON'BLE RAKESH TIWARI, J.
THE HON'BLE DINESH GUPTA, J.

Special Appeal No.826 of 2006

U.P. Power Corporation Limited & others

...Appellants
Versus
Smt. Satyabhama Devi ...Respondent

Counsel for the Petitioner:
Sri A.K. Mehrotra

Counsel for the Respondents:
Sri Prabhakar Awasthi

Constitution of India, Article 226-delay
in payment of Death cum retirement
benefits-means
of
social
supportdirection of compound interest 10 %-
held proper but not to be treated
precedent for another case-Rs. 29000/-
cost awarded for harassment.

Held: Para 8

After hearing learned counsel for the
parties, on perusal of record and for all
the reasons stated above, the Court is of
the view that learned counsel for the
appellant has not been able to show its
bonafide for not paying the retiral dues
to the petitioner-respondent in time,