2014 (3) TMI 740 - SC - Indian Laws

Whether the Courts below including High Court were justified in staying the on-going disciplinary proceedings pending conclusion of the trial in the criminal case registered and filed against the respondents - Held That - While there is no legal bar to the holding of the disciplinary proceedings and the criminal trial simultaneously, stay of disciplinary proceedings may be an advisable course in cases where the criminal charge against the employee is grave and continuance of the disciplinary proceedings is likely to prejudice their defense before the criminal Court - Gravity of the charge is not by itself enough to determine the question unless the charge involves complicated question of law and fact - That requirement does not appear to be satisfied in an adequate measure to call for an unconditional and complete stay of the disciplinary proceedings pending conclusion of the trial - The incident as reported in the FIR or as projected by the respondents in the suits filed by them does not suggest any complication or complexity either on facts or law - the respondents have already disclosed the defense in the explanation submitted by them before the commencement of the departmental enquiry in which one witness has been examined by each of the Enquiry Officers. It is not fit to vacate the said order straightaway - Interests of justice would be sufficiently served if we direct the Court dealing with the criminal charges against the respondents to conclude the proceedings as expeditiously as possible but in any case within a period of one year from the date of this order - We hope and trust that the Trial Court will take effective steps to ensure that the witnesses are served, appear and are examined - The Court may for that purpose adjourn the case for no more than a fortnight every time an adjournment is necessary - We also expect the accused in the criminal case to co-operate with the trial Court for an early completion of the proceedings - We say so because experience has shown that trials often linger on for a long time on account of non-availability of the defense lawyers to cross-examine the witnesses or on account of adjournments sought by them on the flimsiest of the grounds , all that needs to be avoided - In case the trial is not completed within the period of one year from the date of this order, despite the steps which the Trial Court has been directed to take the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the respondents shall be resumed and concluded by the IO concerned - The impugned orders shall in that case stand vacated upon expiry of the period of one year from the date of the order - These appeals allowed in part and to the extent indicated above - The parties are left to bear their own costs Decided against appellant.

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Whether the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the appellant-company against its employees should remain stayed pending the conclusion of the criminal case instituted against the respondents in respect of the same incident.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Legal Bar on Simultaneous Proceedings:
The primary issue is whether there is any legal bar to the continuance of disciplinary proceedings against employees when a criminal case based on the same incident is pending. The judgment clarifies that there is no legal bar to conducting disciplinary proceedings and a criminal trial simultaneously. The Supreme Court has consistently held that both proceedings can proceed in parallel as they serve different purposes. Disciplinary proceedings aim to maintain discipline and efficiency in service, while criminal prosecutions address violations of societal duties.

2. Prejudice to Defense in Criminal Case:
The judgment emphasizes that the only valid ground for staying disciplinary proceedings is to ensure that the defense of the employee in the criminal case is not prejudiced. However, this ground is valid only in cases involving complex questions of fact and law. The Court noted that the charges against the respondents, while serious, do not involve such complexities that would necessitate a stay of the disciplinary proceedings.

3. Nature of Charges and Complexity:
The charges against the respondents include offenses punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which are serious but not necessarily complex. The Court found that the nature of the charges does not involve complicated questions of law and fact that would justify staying the disciplinary proceedings.

4. Delay in Criminal Proceedings:
The Court observed that criminal trials often get prolonged, especially when a large number of accused and witnesses are involved. In this case, the trial had made little progress, with only three out of twenty-three witnesses examined over a significant period. The Court highlighted that disciplinary proceedings cannot remain stayed indefinitely due to such delays, as it is not in the interest of either the appellant-company or the respondents, who are under suspension.

5. Interest of Justice:
Balancing the need for a fair trial with the demand for an expeditious conclusion of disciplinary proceedings, the Court directed the trial court to conclude the criminal proceedings within one year. If the trial is not completed within this period, the disciplinary proceedings shall resume and be concluded by the Inquiry Officer. This approach ensures that the disciplinary proceedings are not unduly delayed while also giving the criminal trial a reasonable timeframe for completion.

Conclusion:
The Supreme Court allowed the appeals in part, directing the trial court to expedite the criminal proceedings and setting a one-year deadline for their completion. If the trial is not concluded within this period, the disciplinary proceedings will resume. This decision strikes a balance between ensuring a fair trial for the respondents and preventing undue delay in the disciplinary process. The parties were left to bear their own costs.