HAQ NAWAZ Versus COMMISSIONER, MULTAN DIVISION, MULTAN

The petitioner who was working as Tax Inspector, Kabirwala under Zila Council, Multan was sentenced to six months' R. I. by a Summary Military Court. He was, thereafter, removed from service by the Chair man, Zila Council, Multan vide his order, dated 11th March, 1982. The petitioner challenged the order in appeal before the Commissioner, but the appeal was dismissed on 22nd August, 1982. The Commissioner observed that a notice under rule 13 of the Punjab Local Council (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1981 was necessary but he decided to take no notice of the omission as according to him this was a mere for mality. The petitioner has challenged the orders of his removal in the present writ petition.

2. Rule 13 clearly provides for a show‑cause notice before an order can be passed under that rule. It is true that the notice can be avoided but then a finding has to be given that it is not practicable to give an opportunity to the accused and since there is no such finding on the record it was necessary to give a notice to the petitioner. This omission vitiates the action against the petitioner.

3. In view of the above considerations, the orders of the Chairman Zila Council, dated 11th March, 1982 are declared to be of no legal effect. He is however, at liberty to pass orders in accordance with the rules. The writ petition is disposed of with these observations. No order as to costs.

M. Y. M. Petition allowed.