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Delhi High Court dismissed the review petition on the grounds of inordinate delay with no grounds for condonation.

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Title: MONIKA GUPTA Versus SANJAY BANSAL

Date of Decision: 19.07.2023

+ RFA(OS) 59/2019 & CM APPL. 19452/2022

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VIBHU BAKHRU

     HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT MAHAJAN

Introduction

Delhi High Court dismissed the review petition on as the petitioner was lackadaisical in filing the review and there is no ground of reason to back this Inordinate delay of more than 1600 days.

Facts of the case

The appellant filed the current application in an effort to excuse the existing appeal’s 1969-day filing delay. The petitioner has chosen the current internal court appeal in opposition to a decision made on August 27, 2014, known as “the impugned order,” the respondent’s claim for particular judgement was heard by the learned Single Judge, wherein It was mandated to perform. According to the contested order, the parties had signed a contract to sell a piece of land known as Plot. Number 68, 50.40 square metres, Pocket 11, Block G, Sector 11, ‘The suit property’ in Rohini, New Delhi-110085, is up for sale Consideration in the amount of Rs. 80 lakhs.

The plaintiff said that on May 7, 2012—the day the Agreement to Sell was signed—it had paid the appellant/defendant a payment totaling Rs. 50,00,000/- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs). At the time of the Sale Deed’s execution, the remaining amount of Rs. 30,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Lakhs) was due to be paid on or by May 15, 2012. The learned Single Judge observed that the defendant/appellant had not filed a written statement and that it was not on record despite having had enough opportunity to do so. Additionally, the appellant did not show up in front of the relevant court on the dates when the case was heard.

As a result, the respondent/plaintiff’s request for particular execution of the Agreement to Sell dated 07.05.2012 was granted by the learned Single Judge, who also decreed the suit.

Analysis of the court

The appellant claims that the respondent failed to file the reply despite being given enough opportunity to do so, which contributed significantly to the delay in the processes surrounding the review petition.

The appellant supported his claim by citing the ruling in the case of DSR Steel (Private) Limited v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.: (2012) 6 SCC 782, which held that the time spent by the party pursuing the review petition must not be taken into account when considering whether to excuse the delay in filing the appeal. He called this Court’s attention to paragraph 25.3 of the aforementioned ruling.

The appellant receives no benefit from the aforementioned ruling. Contrarily, the Court has mandated that the time spent by the party actively pursuing the remedy of review be excluded in suitable situations. In this instance, we determine that the appellant pursued its review petition in a careless manner, and we are unable to believe that the appellant did so conscientiously.

 It is obvious that the current appeal has been filed with excessive delay, and court finds no reason to excuse this.

 As a result, the appeal is denied.

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Delhi High Court dismissed the petition and held that the Court in exercise of power under Article 226 of Constitution of India does not substitute its view for the view of the competent authority.

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Title: RABINDRA KUMAR SAHA versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment delivered on: 18th July, 2023

+ W.P.(C) 9118/2023 & CM APPL. 34697/2023

CORAM:  HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV SACHDEVA

      HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN

Introduction

The fact that the petitioner’s term has been reduced alone does not mean that the decision was not made with the organization’s best interests in mind.  The Delhi High Court denied the plea and ruled that, in using its powers granted by Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, the court cannot substitute its own judgement for that of the appropriate authorities.

Facts of the case

The petitioner requests the quashing of the decision dated 09.06.2023, among other things, on the grounds that it is against the posting policies issued by the respondent on 14.05.1999 and 15.01.2013. Additionally, the petitioner asks the respondent to issue a directive allowing him to keep his position as Chief Engineer (P) at Project Chetak.

By the impugned order dated 09.06.2023, petitioner has been posted to Headquarters, Director General Border Road (DGBR) at New Delhi.

The petitioner challenges the ruling on the grounds that the petitioner’s posting duration was reduced from the customary tenure of two to three years. Furthermore, it is argued that the correct and mandated posting and transfer procedure was not followed in this particular instance. The petitioner’s claims that the proper posting procedure requires the suggestion of posting at his level to be routed via the Additional Director General (HQs) for determination at the level of DGBR.

Analysis of the court

It is a well-established legal principle that the Court, when exercising its powers under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, does not replace the opinion of the competent authority with its own. The decision was made by the appropriate authority, the DGBR, taking into account organisational restrictions and organisational interest. The fact that the petitioner’s term has been reduced on its own does not mean that the decision was not made with the organization’s best interests in mind.

The posting policy, which the petitioner also cites, states that postings must take organisational needs into account and that these needs would take precedence over all other factors.

Given the structure of the organisation, the officer’s personal interests will take a back seat to organisational and functional requirements, which will take precedence over all other factors. There is no question that the Director General of Border Road is the senior and most competent authority with regard to posting. The contested posting order was issued by the Director General Border Road, or DGBR, of the relevant authority.

The competent authority has taken into account both the petitioner’s representation and the ADG (North-West)’s proposal, but due to organisational limitations, he has chosen not to recall either and has rejected the representation.

Additionally, we reject the claim made by the petitioner’s knowledgeable attorney that the proper procedure was not followed. The Director General Border Roads has final say in all matters.

It is not implied that the responsible authority did not take into account all pertinent factors and organisational interest only because it is claimed that the suggestion for the posting was not routed through the ADG (HQs). It is also undisputed that the ADG (HQs) recommendations are not binding on the DGBR, the final decision authority, as the DGBR is a superior authority to the ADG (HQs). It is also undisputed that the DGBR has the authority to reject the ADG’s recommendations.

We believe that the decision made by the competent authority, the DGBR, does not require interference even if there was a procedural error in not passing the file through the ADG (HQs), given that the DGBR has already considered the recommendation and representation and taken a decision in the organization’s best interest. The respondent’s argument that the file should not be sent to ADG (HQs) and that correct procedure has already been followed is, of course, unaffected by this.

we find that no malafide can be attributed to the respondent and impugned posting order does not warrant any interference by this Court.

Merely because there is an instance of an officer whose posting orders have been repeatedly changed citing organizational interest would not imply that in the case of the petitioner, organizational interest has not been kept in mind.

we find that there is no infirmity in the posting order or that the same warrants interference in exercise of power under Article 226 of Constitution of India. We find no merit in the petition.

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Delhi High Court Dismissed the writ of certiorari and granted petitioner liberty to argue their matter before Armed forces tribunal

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Title: LT COL PRAVAL PETER RETD & ORS. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Reserved on: 14th July, 2023

Pronounced on: 18 th July, 2023

+ W.P.(C) 3042/2023 & CM APPL. 11815/2023

CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. JUSTICE SATISH CHNADRA SHARMA

    HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA

Introduction

Delhi High Court Dismissed the writ of certiorari and granted petitioner liberty to argue their matter before Armed forces tribunal, Keeping in mind the principles outlined in the judgment of Squadron Leader Neelam Chahar and also keeping in mind a more prudent redressal path for petitioner which is more efficient and effective.

Facts of the case

The petitioners, who were ‘premature retirees’ from the Indian Army and Air Force, held Permanent Commissions before their early retirement. According to them, their retirement pension and other perks were Due to their failure to fulfil the required twenty years of service, which is a requirement for getting a full pro-rata service pension, it was unjustly denied to them.

The Petitioners were allegedly forced to retire early after successfully completing 10 years of service, but before reaching the twenty-year milestone, due to reasons beyond their control. Despite the fact that this early exit was approved by the appropriate authority, the petitioners argued that the respondents had conveniently ignored the pre-commissioning military training and reserve service periods, which when taken into account would total more than the required twenty years of service for the grant of a service pension. They should be qualified for the pension because these periods were essential and contributed to their overall service time.

The Petitioners demand service pension, even on a pro rata basis, due to them on reason of their early retirement, based on the afore-noted inconsistencies in computation of their service periods and application of criteria for providing benefits to them.

They had previously filed a writ petition [W.P.(C) 11893/2021], but due to the nature of the reliefs requested, it was rejected by order dated October 22, 2021, with the liberty to continue agitating the subject by launching a public interest lawsuit [“PIL”].

Petitioners elucidated their personal interest in the matter and urged the Court to consider their case within the ambit of the aforesaid writ petition, rather than as a PIL.

The policy dated February 19, 1987, which reportedly served as the basis for Respondents’ decision to deny benefits of pro-rata pension and other benefits like pension commutation and ex-servicemen status, was among the policies that Petitioners sought to have declared invalid in the instant petition in the nature of a PIL. They also sought a writ of certiorari to overturn the existing policy, non-statutory pension regulations, and other related instructions.

Analysis of the court

According to Regulation 34 of the Pension Regulations for the Army, 2008, which stipulates a minimum qualifying service of twenty years as a prerequisite for officers to receive service or retiring pension, the impugned communication, dated April 24th, 2019, cited in the aforementioned prayer clause, is Respondents’ decision.

Respondents claim that because the Petitioners are considered premature retirees, they are not eligible to benefit from Ministry of Defence policy dated 19th February, 1987.

It is important to emphasise at this point that the Petitioners fall under the purview of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, and have access to a specialised forum for airing their complaints, the Armed Forces Tribunal (the “AFT”). However, the Petitioners opted to file a writ petition before this Court given to the ambiguity surrounding AFT’s ability to consider issues about the constitutionality of subordinate legislations, including rules, regulations, notices, and circulars.

Fortunately for the Petitioners, a recent decision by the full bench of this Court in Squadron Leader Neelam Chahar v. Union of India and Others, W.P.(C) 9139/2019, has clarified the issue surrounding the competence of the AFT to entertain petitions challenging circulars, statutory rules, regulations, and policies. The court held that the Armed Forces Tribunal is competent to hear the challenge to the vires of the subordinate legislations, rules, regulations, notification.

We feel that the AFT, given its specialised character, would provide a more swift determination for the Petitioners’ complaints given the recent clarification provided by the judgement mentioned above and taking into account the larger circumstances. There is no question that the Petitioners have a direct, personal interest in the issue, which usually precludes using a PIL. We are also aware that the petitioners who filed the current PIL did so with the freedom provided by a coordination bench, and that their perception of our decision to refer their case to the AFT may be unjust given that they have been exploring legal options since 2021 without receiving any redress.

However, our understanding relating to the jurisdiction of the AFT, has evolved in the wake of the judgment referenced above. Therefore, it becomes prudent to steer the Petitioners towards a path of redressal that is more fitting, efficient, and effective i.e., the AFT.

The current PIL is dismissed, together with any related ongoing petitions. The Petitioners are given the freedom to express the complaints made in their petition before the Armed Forces Tribunal while keeping in mind the guidelines provided in the aforementioned Squadron Leader Neelam Chahar judgement.

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Delhi High Court released the petitioner on bail in the case under NDPS act and held that trial is likely to take time, thus cannot be kept in prison for long.

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Title: ANITA @ KALLO versus THE STATE (NCT OF DELHI)

Date of decision: 18th July, 2023

+ BAIL APPLN. 957/2023

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT BANSAL

Introduction

Delhi High Court released the petitioner on bail in the case under NDPS act and held that trial is likely to take time, thus cannot be kept in prison for long. It also took note that quantity seized from co-accused cannot be clubbed with the petitioner thus rigours of section 37 of NDPS Act would not apply.

Facts of the case

The petitioner is requesting regular bail in FIR No. 256/2022, filed at Police Station Crime Branch in Delhi, under Sections 21/29/61/85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS).

The petitioner’s attorney claims that the disclosure statement of co-accused Shahban was the reason for the petitioner’s detention at the age of roughly 37. It is also claimed that the petitioner’s person contained just 89 grammes of heroin.

Even though the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Report is still pending, the chargesheet has already been submitted.

Analysis of the court

In the current instance, 89 grammes of heroin were recovered from the petitioner, which is an intermediate rather than a commercial quantity. The recovery from the petitioner cannot be combined with the recovery from the co-accused, according to the ruling in Anita v. State (NCT of Delhi). As a result, in my opinion, the facts and circumstances of the current case do not meet the requirements of Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

The petitioners cannot be detained for an endless amount of time in light of the aforementioned reasons and the likelihood that the trial would drag out. As a result, the court finds it appropriate to give the petitioners bail.

 the petition is granted, and the petitioner is instructed to be freed upon submitting a personal bond for Rs. 50,000 along with one surety for the same value, subject to the pleasure of the Trial Court.

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The Delhi High Court: Petitioner allowed to file written statement; Can’t assume that it is not required in a divorce suit due to the filing for transfer petition before the SC.

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Title: Babita vs Manish Shoukeen

Date of decision: 18th July, 2023

+ CM(M) 752/2023 & CM APPL. 23729/2023

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA

Introduction

Delhi High Court allowed the written statement to be filed by petitioner setting aside the order of the family court and held that by merely filing a transfer petition before the Supreme Court, the petitioner could not have assumed not to file her written statement in the Divorce Petition. Accordingly, the present petition is allowed. The petitioner shall file the written statement before the learned Family Court, within a period of one week from today. It is made clear that the petitioner shall not be shown any further indulgence in case of a default made in defending the Divorce Petition.

Facts of the case

In HMA No.1027/2019, Babita v. Manish Shokeen (hereinafter referred to as the “Divorce Petition”), the learned Principal Judge of the Family Court of Delhi issued orders dated 21.12.2022 and 21.03.2023 (hereinafter referred to as the “Impugned orders”).

The learned Family Court was happy to shut the petitioner’s opportunity to submit her written statement in this case and to dismiss the petitioner’s defence. The learned Family Court denied the petitioner’s request to have the order from 21.12.2022 recalled by the impugned ruling dated 21.03.2023.

The petitioner’s claim is that she lives in a hamlet in the Jhajjar District of Haryana. She had already filed a lawsuit in the Jhajjar Courts against the respondent here. She was served with the summons in the respondent’s divorce petition, and on May 30,2022, she appeared in court.

He adds that she had submitted a plea to the Supreme Court asking for the divorce case, Babita v. Manish Shokeen, TR.P.(C) 2395/2022, to be transferred from the learned Principal Family Court at Jhajjar, Haryana, to the learned Family Court at Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.

Even though there were costs involved, she didn’t file the written statement.

The petitioner claims that she then got in touch with the attorney who was assisting her in the court proceedings in Jhajjar, who encouraged her to get her written statement ready and submit it with the application to have the order from 21.12.2022 recalled on 21.03.2023. However, the learned Family Court was happy to reject the aforementioned motion seeking to recall the ruling and declined to enter her written statement into the record.

Analysis of the court

It is undisputed that the petitioner has been living with her young kid, who is 7 years old, in a hamlet in the Jhajjar District of Haryana years. The fact that a lawyer attended on her behalf before the learned Family Court on her behalf on September 2, 2022, and November 9, 2022, plainly demonstrates that she has hired a lawyer to represent her interests in the divorce petition. Although it is true that the petitioner could not have assumed on her own that she was not required to file a written statement in the divorce petition by simply filing a transfer petition with the Supreme Court, in my opinion, the aforementioned circumstances would act to mitigate the default that the petitioner has committed in failing to file the written statement on time.

Additionally, it should be remembered that the Family Court’s current petition was not of a commercial or lucrative character. The parties’ social and family rights are to be determined there. On the petitioner’s argument, the Supreme Court has already moved the divorce suit to the learned Principal Family Court in Jhajjar, Haryana. In reality, it is important to note that although the divorce petition was filed in 2019, the respondent wasn’t served until about May 30,2022. Therefore, it had taken the petitioner three years to serve the respondent. Given these facts, the petitioner may have been given one final break by taking her official written statement.

As a result, the current petition is approved. Within a week from now, the petitioner must submit the written statement that was scheduled to be submitted to the learned Family Court in Jhajjar, Haryana, on March 21, 2023. It is made plain that if the petitioner fails to properly defend the divorce petition, additional leniency will not be extended to them

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