Authority: High Court (Judge Reetobroto Kumar Mitra)
Order Date: 15 October 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Anup Halder, Development Officer employed by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) since 2019, confirmed in 2020.
- Respondents: Union of India and LIC (respondent nos. 2‑4).
- Two show‑cause notices issued to petitioner: first on 28 August 2026, second on 5 October 2026, alleging unsatisfactory performance.
- Petitioner served 84 days on Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Roll (SIR) duty from 17 January 2026 to 10 April 2026, which falls within appraisal year 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026.
- LIC issued a notice on 12 March 2026 directing managers to obtain written requests for appraisal extension from officers engaged in SIR duty; petitioner did not submit such a request.
- Petitioner responded to first notice on 11 September 2026, admitting failure to seek extension due to lack of knowledge.
- Court observed petitioner’s failure to apply for extension and noted that the second notice did not consider his earlier request.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition is disposed of without any order as to costs; no relief granted to petitioner.
- Petitioner may file a response to the second show‑cause notice by 5 November 2026; LIC will consider the response by 20 November 2026 and issue a reasoned order.
- If LIC rejects the explanation, termination may be effected under Rule 7 of the Development Officers (Revision of Certain Terms and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2009, with petitioner having three months thereafter to appeal to the Appellate Authority.
Topics: Employment Law, Public Sector Insurance, Court Proceedings