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Jharkhand HC Justice: 8 Juvenile Home Staff Win Reinstatement Battle

The Jharkhand High Court has delivered a major victory for eight juvenile home employees. Justice Deepak Roshan ruled that their termination was completely invalid under the law. These workers had been properly hired through an advertised selection process back in 2016. The court noted that opening service books and paying regular salaries showed the government had accepted their employment status.

Key Points: Jharkhand HC Quashes Dismissal of 8 Juvenile Home Employees

  • Court found termination arbitrary despite government's administrative error claim
  • Employees were hired through proper advertised selection process in 2016
  • Staff received regular salaries and service books like permanent employees
  • Government had re-engaged them as daily wage laborers after termination
2 min read

Jharkhand HC quashes dismissal of eight juvenile home staff, orders reinstatement

Jharkhand High Court orders reinstatement of 8 Bokaro Juvenile Home staff, ruling their termination invalid after years of legal battle over employment status.

"not valid in law - Justice Deepak Roshan"

Ranchi, Nov 27

The Jharkhand High Court has set aside the dismissal of eight employees of the Bokaro Juvenile Home and directed the state government to reinstate them.

Concluding the hearing on Thursday, Justice Deepak Roshan held that the government’s termination order was “not valid in law,” noting that the employees’ services had been duly recognised by the administration before they were abruptly removed.

According to the petition, the Bokaro Deputy Commissioner had issued a public advertisement inviting applications for eight posts at the Juvenile Home in 2016. After a formal selection process, the candidates were appointed to their respective positions.

Following their joining, service books were opened for each of them and they were paid salaries and benefits at par with regular government employees -- indicating full administrative acceptance of their employment status.

However, about a year later, the government issued a notice terminating their services, citing that the appointments were supposed to be contractual, but “due to a departmental mistake,” service books had been opened as if they were regular employees.

The employees were subsequently re-engaged as daily wage labourers from January 2018.

Challenging the move, the aggrieved staff approached the High Court in 2017. During the hearing, the state argued that the original appointments were inadvertent, the result of an internal lapse, and therefore the termination was justified once the error was detected.

The petitioners countered that the selection was made through a transparent, advertised, and lawful recruitment process. They further argued that they had already been granted all entitlements of regular employees, and that the administration’s internal mistakes could not be grounds for punishing legally appointed workers.

After reviewing submissions from both sides, the court observed that the government had treated the petitioners as regular employees from the beginning. Opening service books, releasing salaries, and assigning duties all reflected a clear acceptance of their employment. In such circumstances, the court said, reversing their status and terminating them on the pretext of an administrative error was arbitrary and unsustainable.

The High Court accordingly quashed the termination order and directed the government to reinstate all eight employees.

snc/skp/dan

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is why people lose faith in government jobs. One day you're regular employee, next day daily wage labourer? How can administration be so irresponsible with people's livelihoods? 😠
S
Sarah B
As someone working in HR, this case shows how important proper documentation is. But once service books are opened and salaries paid, it creates legitimate expectations. Court judgment is correct.
A
Arjun K
Justice delayed but not denied. These employees fought since 2017! Imagine the mental stress and financial difficulties they faced. Government should compensate them for these years.
M
Michael C
While I support the employees getting justice, I hope this doesn't set precedent for regularizing all contractual staff. There should be balance between employee rights and fiscal responsibility.
N
Neha E
Juvenile home staff do important work with vulnerable children. Such instability in staffing affects the quality of care. Hope they get their back wages and can focus on their duties now.

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