Authority: High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh
Order Date: 12 June 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Appellant Sardool Singh Ghumman (retired Associate Professor, Physics) vs. Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET) and four respondents.
- The appellant filed Letter Patent Appeal (LPA‑1651‑2026) challenging the Single Judge’s order dated 09‑03‑2026 and a review order dated 21‑04‑2026, alleging defective disciplinary proceedings under Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 and claiming humiliation and harassment.
- He also sought condonation of a 33‑day filing delay, citing severe health issues treated at PGI Chandigarh, and permission to place Annexures A‑2 to A‑7 as additional evidence.
- Respondents, represented by Advocate Vivek Singla, raised no objection to either the condonation or the annexure admission.
Court Findings and Directions
- The Court allowed the application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act read with Section 151 CPC, condoning the 33‑day delay on bona‑fide health grounds.
- The Court permitted annexures A‑2 to A‑7 to be placed on record under Order 41 Rule 27 read with Section 151 CPC.
- The substantive appeal was considered in light of SLIET Board of Management order dated 25‑02‑2026 (Agenda Item 56.38) which directed closure and withdrawal of the disciplinary charge‑sheet (Memorandum No. SLIET/REG/695 dated 13‑06‑2013) and the accompanying inquiry report dated 18‑04‑2018.
- The Court observed that the disciplinary proceedings had already been ordered closed, that no cogent material or evidence substantiated the allegations, and therefore the appeal lacked merit.
- The appeal was dismissed, confirming that the charge‑sheet stands withdrawn and all pending proceedings are disposed of.
- The Court further allowed the appellant to initiate appropriate legal proceedings to claim damages for alleged harassment and reputational loss.
Final Outcome
- Delay of 33 days in filing the appeal is condoned.
- Annexures A‑2 to A‑7 are admitted as evidence.
- The appeal is dismissed; disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Sardool Singh Ghumman are closed and the charge‑sheet withdrawn.
- The appellant may pursue damages for harassment.
Topics: Legal; Disciplinary Proceedings