CWP-20234, Ravinder Kumar, Punjab, dismissal from service, abetment to suicide, IPC 306, IPC 506, delay and laches, moral turpitude, High Court judgment
 29 Jul, 2026
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Ravinder Kumar Vs. State of Punjab and others

  Punjab & Haryana High Court CWP-20234 of 2026
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Case Background

As per case facts, the petitioner, a Section Officer, was convicted for abetment to suicide and criminal intimidation linked to demanding bribes from a contractor who later committed suicide. Consequently, ...

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Document Text Version

1

CWP-20234 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA 

AT CHANDIGARH

CWP-20234 of 2026

Ravinder Kumar                      

….Petitioner

versus

State of Punjab and others         

….Respondents

Sr. No. Particulars Details

1. The date when the judgment is reserved 08.07.2026

2. The date when the judgment is pronounced 29.07.202 6

3. The date when the judgment is uploaded on the website 29.07.2026

4. Whether   only   operative   part   of   the   judgment   is

pronounced or full judgment is pronounced

Full

5. The   delay,   if   any,   of   the   pronouncement   of   full

judgment, and reasons thereof

Not applicable

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR

Argued by: Mr. H.C. Arora, Advocate, 

for the petitioner

Mr. Rohit Ahuja, DAG, Punjab.

NAMIT KUMAR   

, J.   

1. The petitioner has invoked the writ jurisdiction of this

Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of

a writ of certiorari for quashing the order dated 01.02.2022 (Annexure

P-2), passed by respondent No.2, imposing the punishment of dismissal

from service upon the petitioner on the ground of his conviction under

Sections 306 and 506 IPC; for quashing the order dated 11.06.2026

(Annexure   P-11),   passed   by   respondent   No.3-Appellate  Authority,

whereby an appeal preferred by the petitioner against the order of

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CWP-20234 of 2026

dismissal from service has been rejected and further issuance of a writ

of mandamus directing the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in

service, with effect from the date of his dismissal from service vide

order dated 01.02.2022 (Annexure P-2), with all consequential benefits,

including arrears of salary and allowances for the intervening period.

2. The brief facts, as have been pleaded in the petition, are

that the petitioner was employed as Section Officer in Nagar Panchayat

Mahilpur, District Hoshiarpur.  On account of suicide by one Pran Nath,

contractor, FIR No.135 dated 31.12.2016 under Sections 306/506 IPC

was registered against the petitioner at Police Station Mahilpur, District

Hoshiarpur, on the statement of son of Pran Nath, alleging therein that

the petitioner was demanding bribe for clearing the bills of the work

done by his father and was further extending threats to his father to get

him entangled in false criminal cases.   Consequently, petitioner was

convicted by the Court of learned Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur, vide

judgment dated 08.11.2021 and was sentenced to undergo rigorous

imprisonment for a period of five years with fine of Rs.25,000/-, vide

order dated 10.11.2021.   Following the conviction of the petitioner,

respondent No.2, vide impugned order dated 01.02.2022 (Annexure P-

2), dismissed him from service.  Thereafter, the petitioner preferred an

appeal against the order of his dismissal on 16.06.2025 (Annexure P-6),

which was rejected by respondent No.3 – Appellate Authority, vide

order dated 25.07.2025 (Annexure P-8) on account of delay of 1215

days in filing the appeal.  Aggrieved thereby, petitioner approached this

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CWP-20234 of 2026

Court by filing CWP-30394 of 2025 – Ravinder Kumar v. State of

Punjab and others, seeking quashing of order dated 25.07.2025, passed

by respondent No.3, rejecting the appeal of the petitioner.  This Court,

vide order dated 08.12.2025 (Annexure P-10), allowed the petition and

directed   the  Appellate  Authority   to   reconsider   the  application   for

condonation of delay on the basis of the grounds mentioned therein as

well as the merits of the appeal and to pass a fresh order after affording

an adequate opportunity of hearing to the parties, within a period of

three months from the date of receipt of certified copy of the order.

Pursuant to the abovesaid orders of this Court, the Appellate Authority

reconsidered the appeal of the petitioner and the same was rejected, vide

order dated 11.06.2026 (Annexure P-11) impugned herein.  Hence, the

present petition.

3. Learned   counsel   for   the   petitioner   contended   that  the

petitioner has been dismissed from service merely on the basis of his

conviction under Sections 506/306 IPC and the offences under Sections

506/306 IPC do not involve moral turpitude, therefore, the order dated

01.02.2022, dismissing the petitioner from service is totally illegal, as

an employee convicted for an offence under Section 506 IPC is not

liable to be removed from service merely on account of the conduct

leading to such conviction.   He further submitted that the appeal

preferred by the petitioner against the order of dismissal from service

has wrongly been rejected by the Appellant Authority on the ground of

delay, as the petitioner was convicted and sentenced in the aforesaid

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CWP-20234 of 2026

FIR, vide judgment dated 08.11.2021, and against the said judgment of

conviction/sentence, he had preferred an appeal before this Court.  His

sentence was suspended vide order dated 30.05.2022.   He further

submitted that the petitioner thereafter remained engaged in pursuing

his appeal and was making efforts to obtain a stay of his conviction

before this Court.  Consequently, he was unable to file the departmental

appeal against the dismissal order within the prescribed period.  It is,

thus, contended that the delay in filing the appeal against the dismissal

order by the petitioner was on account of sufficient reasons and beyond

his control.   In support of his contentions, learned counsel for the

petitioner   has   placed   reliance   upon   the   judgment   of  the   Hon’ble

Supreme Court in Collector, Land Acquisition, Anantnag and another

v. Mst. Katiji and others, 1987(2) SCC 107.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel has opposed the

contentions raised by learned counsel for the petitioner and submitted

that there was an unexplained inordinate delay of 1215 days’ in filing

the departmental appeal by the petitioner against the order of his

dismissal from service, therefore, his appeal has rightly been rejected by

the appellate authority and the present writ petition is also liable to be

dismissed on account of delay and laches.

5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the

record.

6. Admittedly, the petitioner was awarded the punishment of

dismissal from service vide order dated 01.02.2022.   He preferred

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CWP-20234 of 2026

departmental appeal against the said order on 16.06.2025, which was

rejected by the appellate authority, vide order dated 25.07.2025, on the

ground of delay.  Thereafter, petitioner approached this Court by way of

filing CWP-30394 of 2025, for quashing the order dated 25.07.2025 and

the said writ petition was allowed by this Court, vide order dated

08.12.2025, whereby order dated 25.07.2025, passed by the Appellate

Authority, was set aside with a direction to reconsider the application

for  condonation of delay on the basis of the grounds mentioned therein

as well as the merits of the appeal and to pass a fresh order after

affording an adequate opportunity of hearing to the parties within

stipulated period of three months.  Pursuant to the abovesaid order of

this   Court,   the  Appellate  Authortity,   vide   order   dated   11.06.2026

(Annexure P-11), has rejected the departmental appeal of the petitioner.

The relevant paras, whereby the appeal of the petitioner has been re-

considered though rejected by the Appellate Authority on merits, are as

under:-

xxx xxx xxx xxx

6. The facts of the case of the appellant which lead to his

conviction have been examined by the undersigned. The L'd

Session Judge, Hoshiarpur in his judgment has categorically

examined the facts and circumstances of the case of the

Appellant. The Appellant has been convicted on the ground

of treat and suicide by Sh. Pran Nath, who was working as

contractor   for   last   22/23   years   in   Nagar   Panchayat

Mahilpur   under   the   name   of   Labour   and   Construction

Society Mahilpur. The bills for the work done by them during

the last 2/3 years were not cleared whereas the payments of

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CWP-20234 of 2026

other Contractors were made. For that purpose, they time

and again requested the Ravinder Kumar, Nagar Panchayat

Mahilpur to clear the payment which was about '20 lakh, for

which Officer Ravinder Kumar was demanding bribe. They

also requested Ravinder Kumar in this regard and moved a

complaint bearing no.1488/M/CEA dated 4.10.2016 before

the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. During inquiry of the

said   complaint,   Ravinder   Kumar   got   registered   a   case

bearing FIR No.134 dated 18.11.2016 under Sections 323,

324, 427, 34 IPC against the complainant and his brother

Munit Khanna due to which his father Pran Nath Khanna

moved application bearing no. 5570-SSP dated 18.11.2016

before the SSP, Hoshiarpur which was pending investigation

before the SP(D). Thereafter, Ravinder Kumar also moved

another   application   before   the   DGP   against   the

complainant,   his   father   Pran   Nath   and   brother   Munit

Khanna due to which his father got mentally disturbed. On

30.12.2016, his father after taking meal went to his room for

sleeping. In the next morning on 31.12.2016 at about 8.00

AM, when they knocked at the door of the room of his father

for serving tea, his father did not open the door. He called

his brother Munit Khanna who broke open the door and

found that his father had committed suicide with string by

hanging with the door. Their father had committed suicidebecause Ravinder Kumar was not clearing their payments

for the work done by them  and because of false FIRs

registered   against   them   by   Ravinder   Kumar.   Now,   Sh.

Ravinder Kumar has been convicted on these charges and

punishment of 5/2 years have been awarded u/s 306 and 506

of IPC respectively.

7. The perusal of the orders of the Session Judge, Hoshiarpur

clears   that   the   allegations   made   against   Sh.   Ravinder

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CWP-20234 of 2026

Kumar have been proved and he has been convicted by the

L'd Court, Accordingly. The allegation in the present case

are in regard to demand of bribe for clearing of bills of

payment to the contractor, which relates to misconduct in his

official duty also and the punishment has confirmed the

conduct of Sh. Ravinder Kumar. Judgements of Hon’ble

High Court in CWP no. 24683 of 2019 (Suresh Kumar vs

State of Punjab decided on 23.09.2024, the offence u/s 506

of IPC and judgement of CWP no. 2209 of 2016 (Om

Parkash Vs State of Haryana) office u/s 304-A of IPC have

their   own   facts   and   circumstances,   whereas,   in   factual

position of this case, there are specific allegation of demand

of bribe and conviction has also been awarded on the

charges. So, these judgment cannot be applied in present

case.  

8. The Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India read with

Rule   13   of   the   Punjab   Civil   Service   (Punishment   and

Appeal) Rules, 1970 along with rule 12 of the Punjab

Municipal Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service)

Rules, 1975 (Amended upto 2022) empower the competent

authority to dismiss an employee convicted by a competent

authority  without  following  any   inquiry/investigation.  In

present case, punishment of five years has been awarded to

Sh. Ravinder Kumar on charges of demanding bribe for

clearing of bills, which lead to creation of a situation, that

a person has committed suicide. So, there is sufficient

ground and reasoning for awarding of punishment of

Dismissal from service. The orders of Director are correct

and valid as per facts of the case itself.  

9. So far as the ground of limitation is concerned, the appellant

himself has stated that he got bail on 30.05.2022 and he

spent   time   in   trying   to   get   stay   on   conviction   and

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CWP-20234 of 2026

entertainment of the appeal by the Hon’ble Punjab and

Haryana High Court. But, after his bail on 30.05.2022,

appellant was having ample time to approach the appellant

authority by filing appeal, but Sh. Ravinder Kumar first time

preferred appeal on 16.06.2025 after lapse of three years of

his release from the jail. The appellant has not explained

any reason for his failure to file appeal during 30.05.2022 to

16.06.2025, nor, he has mentioned any ground in his appeal.

It is settled law that the appellant must explain the sufficient

reasons for his failure to file the appeal before the appellant

authority and each day delay is required to be explained.

But in present case, the appellant is silent about this period

of three years. So, the case of the petitioner can also not be

considered on the basis of delay and laches. A three-Judge

Bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Govt. of W.B v. Tarun K. Roy (2004) 1 SCC 347, wherein it has been opined:  

 “34. The respondents furthermore are not even entitled

to any relief on the ground of gross delay and laches on

their part in filing the writ petition. The first two writ

petitions   were   filed   in   the   year   1976   wherein   the

respondents herein approached the High Court in 1992.

In between 1976 and 1992 not only two writ petitions

had been decided, but one way or the other, even the

matter had been considered by this Court in Debdas

Kumar 1991 Supp (1) SCC 138, (1991) 17 ATC 261.

The plea of delay, which Mr Krishnamani states, should

be a ground for denying the relief to the other persons

similarly   situated   would   operate   against   the

respondents.   Furthermore,   the   other   employees   not

being before this Court although they are ventilating

their grievances before appropriate courts of law, no

order should be passed which would prejudice their

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CWP-20234 of 2026

cause. In such a situation, we are not prepared to make

any observation only for the purpose of grant of some

relief to the respondents to which they are not legally

entitled to so as to deprive others therefrom who may

be found to be entitled thereto by a Court of law.”  

10.  Further, the the judgment rendered by this Court in CR

No.2886 of 2014 titled as ‘Babu Ram Vs. Rajesh’ decided on

04.05.2017   and   the   judgment   rendered   by   the   Division

Bench of this Court in CWP No.6938 of 1993 titled as ‘M/s

Sthaneshwar   Handmade   Papers   PCIS  Ltd.   Vs.   State   of

Haryana’ decided on 27.01.1994, do not come to rescue the

appellant on the delay caused in present case, as the Courts

in these cases have considered the good/sufficient cause. But

petitioner has not given any cause for delay of 3 years from

his bail, so, no benefit of these judgements can be given to

the appellant.  

In light of aforementioned discussion,  it is explicit

that the punishment has been awarded to the appellant on

the ground of suicide committed by a contractor, with the

allegation of demand of bribe for clearance of bills. The

allegations   lead   to   conviction   for   5/2   years   Rigorous

Imprisonment  and   there   is   an   application   of   stay   on

conviction by the appellant, but the same has not been

decided yet and is fixed for 02.09.2026. But, the order no.

SA6-DLG-Estt-2022/23   dated   01.02.2022   passed   by   the

Director, Local Government being competent authority of

Junior Engineer(Civil) are well supported by the provisions

of the law and valid and uphold, accordingly to above

discussions. ”

xxx xxx xxx xxx

7. The   directions   issued   in   the   abovesaid   order   dated

08.12.2025, passed in CWP-30394 of 2025, are crystal clear to the

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CWP-20234 of 2026

effect that this Court, while allowing the abovesaid writ petition, has

directed the Appellate Authority in two-fold manner, which is as under:-

(a) to reconsider the application for condonation of delay

on the basis of the grounds mentioned therein; and 

(b) to reconsider the merits of the appeal as well and to

pass   a   fresh   order   after   affording   an   adequate

opportunity of hearing to the parties within stipulated

period of three months.

8. The facts are not in dispute that the first order dated

25.07.2025 (Annexure P-8), passed by the Appellate Authority, whereby

the appeal of the petitioner was rejected only in the ambit of period of

limitation, was a non-speaking order and only, therefore, the same was

set aside by this Court, vide order dated 08.12.2025, passed in CWP-

30394 of 2025.     However, a perusal of the impugned order dated

11.06.2026 (Annexure P-11) shows that the same has been passed by

the Appellate Authority after considering each and every fact as well as

the circumstance concerning the merit of the appeal preferred by the

petitioner, whereby due weightage and consideration has been given to

the   conviction   order   dated   08.11.2021;   order   of   dismissal   dated

01.02.2022; first order of Appellate Authority dated 25.07.2025;   the

issue of delay and limitation involved and besides this other material

facts and circumstances as like demand of bribe by the petitioner for

clearing bills of the victim; complaint moved by the victim against the

petitioner and in counter registration of FIR by the petitioner against the

victim-complainant and his brother and unfortunate suicide of victim –

Prem   Nath;     have   meticulously   been   examined   by   the  Appellate

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CWP-20234 of 2026

Authority, while passing second order dated 11.06.2026 (Annexure P-

11) and, therefore, finding sufficient ground and reasoning for awarding

punishment of dismissal of service upon the petitioner, the order of

dismissal dated 01.02.2022 (Annexure P-2) has been held to be correct

and valid.

9. So far as the issue of condonation of delay on the basis of

the grounds mentioned in the appeal before the Appellate Authority is

concerned, the issue of delay and laches is a settled proposition of law

and the ratio of the judgements, as discussed here-in-below, shall also

be   equally   applicable   to   the   statutory   appeals   adjudicated   by   the

Appellate Authorities.   

10. Hon’ble Supreme Court in  Yunus (Baboobhai) A Hamid

Padvekar   Vs.   State   of   Maharashtra   Through   its   Secretary   and

others : 2009 (2) SCT 24, while referring to the issue of delay and

laches, had held as follows:-

“8.  Delay  or laches  is  one  of  the  factors which is to be

borne in mind by the High Courts when they exercise their

discretionary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of

India, 1950 (in short the ‘Constitution’). In an appropriate

case the High Court may refuse  to  invoke  its  extraordinary

powers if there is such negligence or omission on the part of

the applicant to assert his right as taken in conjunction with

the lapse of time and other circumstances, causes prejudice

to   the   opposite   party.   Even   where   fundamental   right  is

involved the matter is still within the discretion of the Court

as pointed out in Durga

 Prasad v. Chief Controller of

Imports and Exports  (AIR 1970 Supreme Court 769). Of

course, the discretion has to be exercised judicially and

reasonably.

9.  What was stated in this regard by Sir Barnes Peacock

in  Lindsay   Petroleum   Company   v.   Prosper   Armstrong

12

CWP-20234 of 2026

Hurde etc., (1874) 5 PC 221 at page 239 was approved by

this Court in Moon Mills Ltd. v. Industrial Courts,  (AIR

1967   SC   1450)  and  Maharashtra   State   Transport

Corporation v. Balwant Regular Motor Service (AIR 1969

Supreme Court 329), Sir Barnes had stated:

"Now the doctrine of laches in Courts of Equity is not

an arbitrary or technical doctrine. Where it would be

practically unjust to give a remedy either because the

party has, by his conduct done that which might fairly

be regarded as equivalent to a waiver of it, or where

by his conduct and neglect he has though perhaps not

waiving that remedy, yet put the other party in a

situation in which it would not be reasonable to place

him if the remedy were afterwards to be asserted, in

either of these cases, lapse of time and delay are most

material. But in every case, if an argument against

relief, which otherwise would be just, if founded upon

mere delay, that delay of course not amounting to a

bar by any statute of limitation, the validity of that

defence must be tried upon principles substantially

equitable.   Two   circumstances   always   important   in

such cases are, the length of the delay and the nature

of the acts done during the interval which might affect

either party and cause a balance of justice or injustice

in taking the one course or the other, so far as relates

to the remedy." 

10.  It would be appropriate to note certain decisions of

this Court in which this aspect has been dealt with in relation

with Article 32 of the Constitution. It is apparent that what

has   been   stated   as  regards  that  Article   would   apply,  a

fortiori, to Article 226. It was observed in R.N Bose v. Union

of India (AIR 1970 Supreme Court 470) that no relief can

be   given   to   the   petitioner   who   without   any   reasonable

explanation approaches this Court under  Article 32  after

inordinate delay. It was stated that though Article 32 is itself

a guaranteed right, it does not follow from this that it was the

intention of the Constitution makers that this Court should

disregard all principles and grant relief in petitions filed

after inordinate delay.

11.  It was stated in State of M.P. v. Nandlal (AIR 1987

Supreme Court 251)  that  the  High  Court  in  exercise  of

its  discretion 

does not ordinarily assist the tardy and the

indolent or the acquiescent and the lethargic. If there is

13

CWP-20234 of 2026

inordinate delay on the part of the petitioner and such

delay is not satisfactorily explained, the High Court may

decline to intervene and grant relief in exercise of its writ

jurisdiction. It was stated that this rule is premised on a

number of factors. The High Court does not ordinarily

permit   a   belated   resort   to   the   extraordinary   remedy

because   it   is   likely   to   cause   confusion   and   public

inconvenience and bring in its trail new injustices, and if

writ jurisdiction is exercised after unreasonable delay, it

may have the effect of inflicting not only hardship and

inconvenience but also injustice on third parties. It was

pointed   out   that   when   writ   jurisdiction   is   invoked,

unexplained delay coupled with the creation of third party

rights in the meantime is an important factor which also

weighs with the High Court in deciding whether or not to

exercise such jurisdiction.

12. In view of the aforesaid position we are not inclined to

interfere in this appeal which is dismissed accordingly.”

11.  A   two   Judge   Bench   of   Supreme   Court   recently   in

‘Mrinmoy Maity Vs. Chhanda Koley and others’ 2024 SCC OnLine

SC 551 has held that High Court ought to dismiss petition on the ground

of delay and laches where there is no explanation of delay. An applicant

who approaches the Court belatedly or in the other words sleeps over

his   rights   for   a   considerable   period   ought   not   to   be   granted   the

extraordinary relief by writ Courts. Delay defeats equity. High Court

may refuse to invoke its writ jurisdiction if laxity on the part of

applicant has allowed the cause of action to drift away and attempts are

made to rekindle the lapsed cause of action. Multiple communications

cannot create cause of action. The relevant extracts of the judgment are

reproduced as below:

14

CWP-20234 of 2026

“9. Having heard rival contentions raised and on perusal

of the facts obtained in the present case, we are of the

considered view that writ petitioner ought to have been

non-suited or in other words writ petition ought to have

been dismissed on the ground of delay and latches itself.

An applicant who approaches the court belatedly or in

other words sleeps over his rights for a  considerable

period of time, wakes up from his deep slumber ought not

to be granted the extraordinary relief by the writ courts.

This Court time and again has held that delay defeats

equity. Delay or latches is one of the factors which should

be  born   in  mind  by  the   High  Court  while   exercising

discretionary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution

of India. In a given case, the High Court may refuse to

invoke its extraordinary powers if laxity on the part of the

applicant to assert his right has allowed the cause of

action to drift away and attempts are made subsequently to

rekindle the lapsed cause of action.

10. The discretion to be exercised would be with care and

caution. If the delay which has occasioned in approaching

the writ court is explained which would appeal to the

conscience of the court, in such circumstances it cannot be

gainsaid by the contesting party that for all times to come

the delay is not to be condoned. There may be myriad

circumstances which  gives  rise to the invoking of the

extraordinary jurisdiction and it all depends on facts and

circumstances of each case, same cannot be described in a

straight jacket formula with mathematical precision. The

ultimate   discretion   to   be   exercised   by   the   writ   court

depends upon the facts that it has to travel or the terrain in

which the facts have travelled.

15

CWP-20234 of 2026

11. For filing of a writ petition, there is no doubt that no

fixed period of limitation is prescribed. However, when the

extraordinary jurisdiction of the writ court is invoked, it

has to be seen as to whether within a reasonable time same

has been invoked and even submitting of memorials would

not revive the dead cause of action or resurrect the cause

of   action   which   has   had   a   natural   death.   In   such

circumstances on the ground of delay and latches alone,

the appeal ought to be dismissed or the applicant ought to

be non-suited. If it is found that the writ petitioner is guilty

of delay and latches, the High Court ought to dismiss the

petition on that sole ground itself, in as much as the writ

courts  are   not   to  indulge   in  permitting  such   indolent

litigant to take advantage of his own wrong. It is true that

there cannot be any waiver of fundamental right but while

exercising discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226, the

High Court will have to necessarily take into consideration

the delay and latches on the part of the applicant in

approaching a writ court.”

12. This Court in Bal Krishan v. State of Punjab and others,

2012(4) SCT 712 and Tarsem Pal v. Punjab State Power Corporation

Limited and others, 2012(26) SCT 343 has dismissed petitions on the

ground   that   writ   jurisdiction   cannot   be   invoked   at  the   will   and

convenience of the litigant. Anyone who claims rights must be vigilant

and he must enforce his rights within reasonable time.

13. Since, no explanation has been given by the petitioner

either in the departmental appeal or in the present petition for not filing

the appeal within stipulated period of 45 days from the date of order of

his dismissal by the punishing authority, therefore, the plea taken by the

16

CWP-20234 of 2026

petitioner that after suspension of his sentence by this Court, he was

busy in trying to get his conviction stayed, is not a satisfactory ground

to condone the inordinate delay of 1215 days in filing the departmental

appeal.   Further, the present writ petition has been filed after an

inordinate delay of more than four years from the passing of the order of

dismissal from service.   Such belated challenge is clearly hit by the

doctrine of delay and laches.   The judgment relied upon by learned

counsel   for   the   petitioner   is   not   applicable   to   the  facts   and

circumstances of the present case.

14. In view of the above, this Court is of the considered

opinion that there are sufficient grounds and reasons for awarding the

punishment of dismissal from service to the petitioner, who has been

convicted and sentenced to undergo (rigorous imprisonment) for 05

years and, in default of payment of fine, further rigorous imprisonment

for 02 months, for committing the offence of abetment to suicide of a

contractor, namely, Pran Nath Khanna, who, after being subjected to

harassment for almost one year, ended his life, by committing suicide

and even otherwise there is no illegality or irregularity in the impugned

orders   and,   therefore,     the   impugned   order   of   dismissal   dated

01.02.2022 (Annexure P-2) and order dated 11.06.2026 (Annexure P-

11) are held to be legal, correct and valid and the same do not warrant

any interference of this Court.

Needless to observe here that there is no order of any Court

showing stay on conviction.

17

CWP-20234 of 2026

15. In view of the above and the settled legal position, this

Court is of the considered opinion that the present petition is liable to be

dismissed primarily finding no merit and on the ground of delay and

laches as well. 

16. Consequently, the instant petition is dismissed, with no

order as to costs.

29.07.2026                 (NAMIT KUMAR)

R.S.                               JUDGE

Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No

Whether Reportable: Yes/No

Reference cases

Description

High Court Dismisses Petition in Ravinder Kumar vs State of Punjab: A Case of Dismissal Following Conviction

The High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh has recently delivered a significant judgment in the case of Ravinder Kumar vs State of Punjab, bearing the case number CWP-20234 of 2026. This ruling, pronounced on 29.07.2026 by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Namit Kumar, addresses crucial aspects of service law, criminal conviction, and the doctrine of delay and laches. The full judgment and its details are now available on CaseOn, providing valuable insights for legal professionals and students alike.

Issue Presented Before the Court

The petitioner, Ravinder Kumar, challenged the order dated 01.02.2022, which dismissed him from service following his conviction under Sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He also contested the subsequent order dated 11.06.2026 from the Appellate Authority, which rejected his departmental appeal. The core issue revolved around whether the dismissal from service was legally justifiable given the nature of the conviction and if the delay in filing the appeal should have been condoned.

Rules and Legal Principles Applied

The Court considered several key legal provisions and precedents:

  • Article 226 of the Constitution of India: Pertaining to the writ jurisdiction of High Courts.
  • Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India: Which empowers a competent authority to dismiss an employee convicted by a criminal court without conducting a separate inquiry.
  • Rule 13 of the Punjab Civil Service (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 and Rule 12 of the Punjab Municipal Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1975 (Amended up to 2022): These rules govern disciplinary actions, including dismissal, against employees.
  • Doctrine of Delay and Laches: The Court referred to a series of Supreme Court judgments, including:
    • Govt. of W.B v. Tarun K. Roy (2004) 1 SCC 347
    • Yunus (Baboobhai) A Hamid Padvekar Vs. State of Maharashtra Through its Secretary and others: 2009 (2) SCT 24
    • Mrinmoy Maity Vs. Chhanda Koley and others' 2024 SCC OnLine SC 551

    These judgments consistently emphasize that unexplained and inordinate delay in seeking legal remedies can be a ground for denying relief, as 'delay defeats equity.'

Analysis of the Case

Ravinder Kumar, a Section Officer, was convicted by the Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur, on 08.11.2021, and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment for charges arising from FIR No.135 dated 31.12.2016. The charges included demanding bribes from a contractor, Pran Nath, for clearing bills and extending threats, which ultimately led to Pran Nath's suicide.

Following this conviction, respondent No.2 dismissed the petitioner from service on 01.02.2022. The petitioner filed a departmental appeal on 16.06.2025, which was initially rejected by the Appellate Authority on 25.07.2025 due to an unexplained delay of 1215 days. Subsequently, the High Court, in a prior petition (CWP-30394 of 2025), directed the Appellate Authority to reconsider the appeal on both delay and merits.

Upon reconsideration, the Appellate Authority again rejected the appeal on 11.06.2026. The High Court, in the present petition, carefully analyzed both the merits of the dismissal and the issue of delay:

  • On Merits: The Court observed that the petitioner's conviction for abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation, stemming from demanding bribes and official misconduct, constituted a serious offense involving moral turpitude. This provided sufficient grounds for dismissal under Article 311(2) and the applicable service rules. The Court distinguished the judgments cited by the petitioner, noting that the specific allegations of bribe demand and conviction in this case were distinct.
  • On Delay and Laches: The petitioner was released on bail on 30.05.2022 but filed his departmental appeal only on 16.06.2025, a significant delay of over three years. His explanation that he was busy trying to get his conviction stayed was deemed unsatisfactory, especially since no order staying the conviction itself (as opposed to the sentence) was placed on record. The Court reiterated that each day's delay must be adequately explained, which the petitioner failed to do. The Court cited numerous precedents underscoring that extraordinary relief should not be granted to those who sleep over their rights.

For legal professionals analyzing complex rulings like this, CaseOn.in offers invaluable 2-minute audio briefs, allowing for quick comprehension of key legal arguments and judicial reasoning in cases such as Ravinder Kumar vs State of Punjab.

Conclusion of the Court

The High Court ultimately dismissed the petition. It found no merit in challenging the dismissal order, concluding that the punishment of dismissal from service was legal, correct, and valid. The Court affirmed that the petitioner's conviction for demanding bribes leading to a contractor's suicide was a severe misconduct justifying dismissal. Furthermore, the petition was also found liable to be dismissed on the grounds of inordinate and unexplained delay and laches in approaching the departmental authorities and the High Court.

Why This Judgment is an Important Read for Lawyers and Students

This judgment serves as a critical reference for understanding the interplay between criminal conviction and service law, particularly concerning dismissal from government service. It reaffirms the robust application of Article 311(2) of the Constitution in cases of moral turpitude and grave misconduct. For lawyers, it highlights the importance of timely action and providing concrete justifications for any delay in legal proceedings, especially in service matters where the doctrine of delay and laches is strictly applied. Students of law will find this case beneficial for grasping concepts related to administrative law, constitutional law, and the nuances of disciplinary actions based on criminal convictions.

Disclaimer

All information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified legal professional for advice pertaining to their specific circumstances.

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