The Rajasthan High Court has recently emphasized on the importance of expeditious conclusion of departmental inquiries.
The ruling by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand came in response to a petition filed by the petitioner, who was served with a charge-sheet in 2011. Despite the passage of time, the proceedings arising out of the charge-sheet were not concluded, prompting the petitioner to approach the court.
The court’s observation highlighted the negligence on the part of state instrumentalities in concluding departmental inquiries within a reasonable timeframe. In this case, the inquiry was completed on March 4, 2014, but no final orders were passed by the disciplinary authority.
This delay is a stark example of the lack of accountability and inefficient handling of departmental inquiries, the court said.
The court relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Prem Nath Bali vs. Registrar, High Court of Delhi and Ors., which stressed the duty of employers to ensure that departmental inquiries are concluded within the shortest possible time.
The High Court echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that every employer, whether state or private, must make sincere efforts to conclude departmental inquiries within a reasonable time frame.
The bench also expressed concern over the lack of accountability of officers-in-charge of cases and directed the Chief Secretary of the Government of Rajasthan to file an affidavit outlining improvements in the system.
The court instructed the Advocate General and the Principal Law Secretary to ensure that law officers and officers-in-charge of cases remain present in court whenever required and keep the government counsel updated with progress reports and outcomes.
Furthermore, the court emphasized the need for streamlining and redefining the entire system and procedure for departmental inquiries.
The government, as a powerful entity, should set an example in upholding ethical standards and ensuring swift resolution of matters before the courts.
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