Joga Singh vs State Of Punjab And Ors

Harsimran Singh Sethi, J

The present petition has been filed challenging the order dated 03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) passed by respondent No. 3 as well as the order dated

02.12.2019 (Annexure P-4) passed by respondent No. 2 by which, respondent No. 4 has been approved as a candidate for appointment as Lambardar

for the Village Thakarwal, Tehsil Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was the initial choice for the post of Lambardar of Village Thakarwal and he was

appointed as such by the Collector vide order dated 16.02.2016 (Annexure P-1). Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the appeal

filed by respondent No. 4 against the order dated 16.02.2016 (Annexure P-1) was allowed by the Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Jalandhar on

03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) and respondent No. 4 was held to be more meritorious than the petitioner and was appointed as such. Thereafter, the

appeal preferred by the petitioner has been dismissed by the Financial Commissioner (Appeals), Punjab vide order dated 02.12.2019 (Annexure P-4).

Learned counsel further submits that the order dated 03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) as well as order dated 02.12.2019 (Annexure P- 4) appointing

respondent No. 4 as Lambardar are against the law and are liable to be set-aside.

Though, the challenge to the orders dated 03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) and 02.12.2019 (Annexure P-4) have been made by the petitioner but no cogent

ground except the fact that the petitioner was found suitable by the Collector, hence could not have been replaced by the Commissioner, has been

raised. A bare perusal of the impugned orders would show that the authorities below have compared a number of aspects between the petitioner and

respondent No. 4 before approving the appointment of respondent No. 4 as Lambardar of the village. Not only respondent No. 4 is younger in age but

is better qualified than the petitioner. These facts have been conceded by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

Though learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner argues that the order passed by the Commissioner dated 03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) as

well as order passed by Financial Commissioner (Appeals), Punjab dated 02.12.2019 (Annexure P-4) are against the settled principle of law but no

law has been cited in support of the argument.

Once, the facts have been conceded, scope of interference by this Court in the impugned orders is limited as the authorities below are the better judge

with regard to the appointment to the post of Lambardar by evaluating the candidates, who were claiming appointment against the said post.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that respondent No. 4 is a driver by profession and hardly remains in the village. On being asked as to

whether the said objection was raised before the authorities below, learned counsel concedes that this objection is being raised for the first time before

this Court. As, the said argument was never raised for consideration of the authorities below, the same cannot be taken into account by this Court to

interfere with the orders passed by respondents No. 2 and 3, which have been impugned in the present writ petition.

No ground is made out to interfere with the impugned orders 03.02.2017 (Annexure P-2) and 02.12.2019 (Annexure P-4).

Writ petition is dismissed.