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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, Feb 22: The second appeal by a former Punjab Police constable, dismissed from service after allegedly he remained absent from duty “during the days of terrorism,” was today dismissed by Justice V.K. Jhanji of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here.
Pronouncing the orders on Mohinder Singh’s appeal, Justice Jhanji observed: “I am of the view that no case is made out for taking a view contrary to the one taken by the first appellate court. Consequently, this appeal being devoid of merit, has to be dismissed and it is so ordered.”
Regarding his counsel’s contention that the punishment awarded to the constable was “very harsh,” Justice Jhanji held: “The first appellate court has dealt with this matter and has observed that the plaintiff absented during the days of terrorism and that too when the Punjab Police was fighting against terrorism. The absence of the police official amounted to running away from the battle filed and was gravest act of misconduct.”
Mohinder Singh, posted at Ferozepur, was dismissed from service on August 4, 1992 after he allegedly remained absent from duty for one year, six months, 13 days, four hours and 30 minutes.
He had made a second appeal against the judgment dismissing his earlier suit for declaring that his dismissal order was illegal, besides being null and void.
