Authority: High Court at Calcutta, Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri
Order Date: 08 October 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Sunil Kumar Meena; Respondents: Union of India and others including North Eastern Frontier Railway (NEFR) and Assistant Commercial Manager, NEFR, Katihar, Bihar.
- The petition challenges a termination letter issued by NEFR on 26 August 2026 (letter dated 27 August 2026) which terminated the petitioner’s licence/contract without granting a hearing.
- Allegations of breach of contract terms were raised by the railway, but the petitioner contended denial of opportunity to be heard violated procedural fairness.
- The Court observed that the termination was effected without a reasonable opportunity of hearing, breaching the licence agreement dated August 2022.
Final Outcome
- The termination letter dated 27 August 2026 is quashed/set aside.
- The Assistant Commercial Manager, NEFR, Katihar, is directed to revisit the termination, grant the petitioner a reasonable hearing, and issue a reasoned decision in accordance with the August 2022 licence agreement.
- Respondents must forward the inspection report to the petitioner at the earliest.
- No order as to costs; allegations in the petition are deemed not admitted.
- An urgent certified website copy of the order may be supplied upon compliance with requisite formalities.
Topics: Court Order, Employment Rights, Railway Contract