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Jammu, Nov 06: In O.A./64/2023 (JAMMU) titled PRITAM LAL SHARMA Vs FOREST DEPARTMENT afer hearing CAT ordered as under:-
The instant case pertains to an issue related to refixation of pension and the applicant is also seeking direction upon the respondents to release the grade of Range Officer in favour of the applicant
2. The case was listed today, and on perusal of records it was revealed that vide orders dated 24.09.2024 the respondents were granted last and final opportunity to file their written statement, and in case the same is not filed the Erring Officer/Official was directed to remain present before the Court with the explanation as to why the reply was not filed till date.
Still, the respondents didn’t bother to file reply till date, after availing sufficient time.
3. Despite issuance of order dated 24.09.2024 the respondents have neither filed the reply nor they have appeared before the Court to explain why it has not been filed till date.
In the present fact and circumstances this Court is constrained to pass this harsh order to stop the salary of the respondent no. 3 i.e. District Forest Officer(DFO), Urban Forestry Division, Dogra Hall Jammu, J&K (UT) with immediate effect, as such Officers who are not obeying the Court’s Orders, do not deserve salary.
4. Accordingly, the D.D.O concerned is directed to ensure that the salary of the respondent no. 3 i.e. District Forest Officer(DFO), Urban Forestry Division, Dogra Hall Jammu, J&K (UT) be stopped with immediate effect till further orders, and respondent no. 2 i.e. Principle Chief Conservator of Forests, Van Bhawan, near Gumat, Jammu, J&K is directed to initiate an enquiry against the Respondent No. 3, as to why, neither the reply was filed nor he was present before the Court despite clear directions passed vide orders dated 24.09.2024, and thereafter, take strict action against the Officer for not complying the orders of the Court. The action report be submitted along with the written statement in the present case by the next date of hearing.
5. It has been observed that non-filing of the reply by the respondents leads to unnecessary delay in giving justice to the litigants and justice delayed is justice denied.
The poor litigants who have no access to the Administration knock the door of this Court in the hope that they will get justice here. The aggrieved litigant is running from pillar to post in order to get justice.
It is very unfortunate that due to the callous attitude of Officers/Officials, public faith in the judiciary is getting eroded.
6. However, innocent litigants cannot be made to suffer for the lackadaisical approach of the respondents. The Tribunal further observed that nobody is above the law, so in order to uphold the majesty of the law this Court was compelled to pass such an adverse order.
7. Let the written statement now be filed by the respondents along with the action taken report by the next date of hearing.
8. List this case on 05.12.2024.
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