Appeal Challenging Extension of Suspension Dismissed by Delhi HC

Dismissing an appeal by under-suspension presiding officer of the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT)-II, Chandigarh, MM Dhonchak, challenging an order of single judge of Delhi high court (HC) which dismissed his plea regarding extension of his suspension, a division bench has held that the nature of the charges on which the appellant was being proceeded against were grave and his acts are stated to be prejudicial to the public interest.

- HT Correspondent

CHANDIGARH:

Dhonchak, a former Haryana judicial officer, had challenged the dismissal of his petition by the March 3, 2025, single judge order regarding extension of his suspension on November 5, 2024 (as presiding officer, DRT-II). The single judge had dismissed the petition as being devoid of merit.

A division bench of Delhi HC comprising justice Navin Chawla and justice Renu Bhatnagar in its July 1 order said that the procedure as laid down in Rule 9 of the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021, has been followed by the Union government while initiating inquiry against Dhonchak. The procedure for extension of suspension as laid down under Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1965, has also been duly followed by the competent authority while passing the extension order.