CAT upholds suspension of employee for unauthorised absence

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has refused to give relief to a government employee who was suspended by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for unauthorised absence from duty.

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has refused to give relief to a government employee who was suspended by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for unauthorised absence from duty.

HT Image

"The petitioner has been a habitual absentee and has not improved in spite of many punishments meted out to him for unauthorised absence," the Tribunal, headed by Vice Chairman L K Joshi, said.

Haryana-resident Randhir Singh approached the Tribunal against the 2007 dismissal order of DTC, seeking reinstatement in the service with all consequential benefits.

Singh remained unauthorisedly absent from duty without any intimation to the authority for a period between February 5, 2005 to December 15, 2006, following which he was issued a showcause notice by the DTC.

After he failed to provide satisfactory answer, the Corporation's disciplinary authority removed him from the service.

The petitioner, however, said that he was absent because of his wife illness.

The Corporation contended that Singh was a habitual absentee and no medical certificate was produced before it regarding his wife illness.