Railway employee can stay in retiring room after making payment: HC

Allahabad, Apr 10 (UNI) The Allahabad High Court today ruled that it is no dereliction of duty and cannot be termed illegal for a railway employee staying in retiring room after making necessary payments.

Justice Shishir Kumar pronounced this judgement on a writ petition filed by a lady ticket collector Urmila Verma posted in northern Railway, Allahabad, who was dismissed from services after being spotted resting in a retiring room.

Unless and until it is misconduct, it can not be said that petitioner has violated any provision of the conduct rules as she had deposited Rs 60 for the stay in retiring room.

Urmila was earlier suspended but after inquiry she was dismissed from service for dereliction of duty. She was charged for contravening rules 3(1) (2) and (3) of Railway Services (conduct) rules, 1966.

The Court has allowed the writ petition and quashed all the impugned orders. The Court has directed that the petitioner may be reinstated in service forthwith, but keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present case, as the petitioner has not worked from 1981, she will be entitled to only 50 per cent of the wages from the date of dismissal to the date of reinstatement.

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