PANAJI
An 18-year legal battle ended in relief for dismissed police constable Kanchan Chodankar after the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the State to reinstate him within seven days.
Chodankar had challenged his dismissal orders dated October 18, 2007, April 25, 2008, and March 19, 2013, alleging that no regular inquiry was conducted before terminating his service. He also stated in his petition that his appeals and revision pleas were dismissed by the authorities concerned.
During the proceedings, the prosecution had cited three FIRs registered against the constable to justify his dismissal. However, the Court set aside the orders, clarifying that major penalties, if any, must follow due process of law.
The Bench also ruled that the dismissal orders were “wrong and not lawful” as no inquiry had been held before the punitive action.
The Court, on Tuesday, directed the State and the Goa Police to reinstate him while granting liberty to the department to conduct a regular inquiry if deemed necessary.
The dismissed constable had three criminal cases against him, including a dowry death case in which he was acquitted. In the other two cases”illegal use of explosives, and threatening and assault”he was discharged of the offences.
