Delhi HC recently refused to entertain a plea filed by a stenographer working in the office of District and Sessions Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi who was charged of misconduct for habitually being on leave and also illegally taking print out of a partly dictated judgement and handing it over to the litigant.

Acting upon the plea, Justices S Ravindra Bhatt and A K Chawla said: “Upon the testimony of witnesses including Judicial Officers who were consistent in their version that indeed the petitioner was guilty of the charges levelled and that he had taken the print out unauthorizedly. It would not be appropriate for this court to act in this matter in the interest of justice.”

“Even the enquiry officer determined that the petitioner was guilty and disciplinary authority by a reasoned order imposed penalty to withhold two increments with cumulative effect which has thereafter reduced to withholding of one increment with the cumulative effect by the appellate authority,” the bench said.

Further the court also noticed that “the petitioner has enjoyed the salary and allowances under the period of suspension.”

Counsel for the petitioner urged that the imposition of the penalty in this case is excessive and withholding of one increment with cumulative effect has an adverse impact upon his long time/future pay and allowances.

Denying the contentions of the petitioner court said “in the overall circumstances of the case, the petitioner has given the lenient treatment and Interest of Justice demands court should not interfere with the findings of the guilt or the penalty imposed, accordingly writ petition dismissed”.

—India Legal Bureau