SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER GEPCO SIALKOT vs MUHAMMAD YOUSAF
This petition for leave to appeal arose from a judgment of the Federal Service Tribunal, which had directed the release of salary and back benefits to the respondent civil servant for the period of his suspension and subsequent detention following his trial and ultimate acquittal in a murder case. The core legal question was whether a civil servant acquitted of a criminal charge is entitled to full back benefits and salary for the entire period of suspension and absence, and whether an acquittal based on the benefit of doubt constitutes an honourable acquittal for such purposes. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, holding that an acquittal by a criminal court—even if granted on the basis of benefit of doubt—is deemed an honourable acquittal entitling the employee to be treated as on duty and to receive all financial benefits and arrears of pay for the period of confinement. The key principle laid down is that a civil servant acquitted of criminal charges is entitled to full back benefits, and such acquittal cannot be undermined to deny financial rights on the ground that it was based on the benefit of doubt.
- Whether a civil servant acquitted of a criminal charge is entitled to back benefits and salary for the period of suspension?
- Does an acquittal based on the benefit of doubt qualify as an honourable acquittal for the purpose of claiming service benefits?
- Whether the period of detention and suspension resulting from criminal proceedings can be treated as leave on due basis instead of duty upon acquittal?
ORDER
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CJ.--This petition lids been filed for leave to appeal against the judgment dated 8.1.2004 passed by Federal Service Tribunal, Lahore in Appeal No.89(L)(C.S.)/2000.
2. Precisely stating the facts of the case are that respondent faced criminal proceedings for committing offence of culpable homicide amounting to murder. The trial Court saddled him with the penalty of death. Meanwhile, because of his arrest on 8th January, 1992 he was suspended. On the other hand in appeal learned Lahore High Court, Lahore set .aside the conviction/sentence awarded to him by the trial Court and acquitted him from the charge of murder vide judgment dated 12th July, 1998. Accordingly, he was taken back on duty and the period of his suspension was treated as leave i.e. from 6th January, 1992 to 8th October, 1994. It is to be noted that from 9th October, 1994 to 12th September, 1998 nothing was paid to him. It is stated that the period from 8th January, 1992 to 8th October, 1994 on his acquittal was treated as leave on due basis instead of suspension as per order of the Authority dated 13th August, 1999. The period commencing from 9th October, 1994 to 12th September, 1998 was also treated as leave on due basis vide order dated 16th July, 1999. Respondent being aggrieved from the order of the department approached the Service Tribunal for release of his salary for this period. Appeal was allowed by the impugned judgment.
Relevant para therefrom, is reproduced hereinbelow:-- "We have before us a judgment of the Apex Court. The citation is 1998 SCM R 1993. In this case the Civil Servant was also involved in a murder case. He was acquitted. The apex Court was pleased to hold that in case of acquittal the Civil Servant should be considered to have committed no offence.
He was declared entitled to grant of arrears of pay and allowances in respect of period he had remained under suspension on the basis of murder case against him. In the light of this authority we hold that the appellant is entitled to arrears of pay and allowances for the disputed period. In 2002 P.S.C. 157 a similar view was expressed by the apex Court. The appellant was reinstated in service with back benefits for the period he had not been gainfully employed elsewhere. In the present case the appellant had not been gainfully employed elsewhere due to conviction in a murder case. He is, therefore, .entitled to back, benefits as held by the apex Court. The most recent' judgment of the apex Court on the subject is reported as 2003 U.C. 809 the appellant was acquitted in the criminal case and was held entitled to back benefits."
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the respondent would only be entitled for the financial benefits for a period of six months during which he remained under suspension while for the remaining period he would be granted financial benefits but this period would be treated as leave on due basis.
4. On the other hand learned counsel for the respondent stated that as the respondent has been acquitted of the charge honourably, therefore, he is entitled for full benefits without treating the same period on the basis of leave due. He stated that exactly in such like situation this Court in the case Dr. Muhammad Islam Vs. Government of N.W.F.P. through Secretary Food, Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Department, Peshawar and 2 others (1998 SCM R 1993) has granted the relief to the employee who after acquittal from the murder charge claimed the benefit under FR 54(1). In this behalf it is to be noted that in identical circumstances in the case which has been relied upon by the Tribunal Rashid Mahmood Vs. Additional Inspector General of Police and two others (2002 PSC 157) in which financial benefits were extended for the period during which a civil servant could not perform his duty on accountof his involvement in the criminal case and as soon as he was acquitted of the charge he was held entitled for the full benefits considering him as if he has performed the duty. Learned counsel for the petitioner also contended that question for consideration would be as to whether the respondent was honourably acquitted because according to him the learned High Court while accepting his Criminal Appeal on 12th July,' 1998 extended him benefit of doubt. In this behalf it may be noted that in the case of Muhammad Iqbal Zaman, Vernacular. Clerk, Marwat Canal Division, Bannu Vs. Superintending Engineer, Southern Irrigation Circle, Bannu and 4 others (1999 SCM R 2870) identical question came for consideration and this Court considered that acquittal of a civil servant, even if based on benefit of doubt was honourable. Applying same principle we are of the opinion that the respondent who statedly was acquitted by extending him benefit of doubt would be deemed to have been acquitted honourably. Therefore, under the circumstances we are of the opinion that the. Service Tribunal rightly directed the petitioner to treat him on duty and give him all financial benefits during the period of his confinement in custody on account of his involvement in the murder case.
5. Thus for the forgoing reasons we see no force in the petition which is dismissed and leave declined.