JAMMU: Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey of J&K High Court, Srinagar on Wednesday quashed the premature retirement order of Shamim Ahmad Laherwal who was posted as Director General, Libraries and Research.
Justice Magrey was hearing the petitioner in person and Additional Advocate General (AAG) M.A Beigh for the State.
The petitioner challenged the Government Order No.870-GAD of 2015 dated 30th June, 2015 issued by the Commissioner/Secretary to Government, General Administration Department, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 226(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Regulations, 1956, giving notice to the petitioner, who, at the relevant time, was functioning as Director, General, Libraries and Research, J&K, that he, having already rendered 22 years of service, shall retire with effect from the forenoon of 1st July, 2015.
The Court observed that the petitioner has counted his positives over the years in his petition. He, all along his service, performed his duties with utmost honesty, integrity and dedication which earned him the reputation of an officer of high merit which is evidenced by the fact that in his Annual Progress Reports (APRs), written by varied officers under whom he had worked, he has all along been categorised as “outstanding” or “very good” and that, more importantly, he has never earned an adverse APR.
Based upon his merit, integrity and such APRs, he rose through ranks, by having been granted promotions at different levels, so much so at the time of issuance of the impugned order, he was holding the post of Director General, Libraries and Research – a post equivalent in rank to that of a Commissioner/Secretary to Government – and was due for next higher promotion as Principal Secretary to Government and further pleaded that there is no case of criminal nature involving allegations of corruption lodged or registered against him.
After hearing both the sides, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey allowed the petition and quashed the Government order no.870-GAD of 2015 dated 30th June, 2015.