SCCL Staffer Loses Bid To Change Date of Birth

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court dismissed a writ appeal filed by a Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) employee seeking correction of his date of birth at the far end of service, reiterating that belated claims could not be entertained contrary to service rules and settled law. The panel comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin was hearing a writ appeal filed by M. Rajeswar. The petitioner challenged the action of SCCL in treating his date of birth as May 25, 1964, and fixing his superannuation accordingly, instead of June 25, 1970, as claimed by him on the basis of educational records. The appellant contended that the company ought to have referred his case to the age determination committee under the joint bipartite committee for coal industry (JBCCI) guidelines and that his educational certificates were ignored. He relied on earlier division bench decisions to argue that disputes regarding age should be resolved through the prescribed mechanism. Opposing the appeal, SCCL submitted that the appellant did not produce any proof of date of birth at the time of appointment in 1988, and therefore his age was assessed by the collieries medical officer in accordance with company rules and JBCCI guidelines. The date so assessed was consistently recorded in all statutory and service records, including Form B, service book, EPR and CMPF declarations, without any protest from the appellant for decades. Upholding the findings of the single judge, the panel noted that the appellant sought correction of his date of birth only on the brink of retirement and that settled Supreme Court law barred such claims, particularly when made after a long delay. Relying on the apex court ruling, the panel reiterated that even cogent evidence cannot justify a change of date of birth as a matter of right, especially at the far end of service. Finding no infirmity in the impugned order, the panel dismissed the writ appeal, declining to interfere with the superannuation decision of SCCL.

Cop summoned in contempt case

Justice N. Tukaramji of Telangana High Court directed appearance of the Gopalpuram ACP in a contempt case alleging violation of an anticipatory bail order. The judge was dealing with a contempt case filed by P.C. Shekar. The court earlier granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner. After he approached the police station concerned to furnish sureties as directed by the court, it was alleged that he was sent to a hospital for examination. When counsel objected, the petitioner and counsel were manhandled at the hospital. Following this, there was a hue and cry among advocates at Siddipet. The petitioner was released after about eight hours. The judge, while posting the case to January, directed the ACP to be present for framing charges of criminal contempt for violating the orders of the court.

Man claims cops interfering in married life

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea alleging police interference in a matrimonial dispute and violation of the life and liberty of petitioner. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Godha Anil Dev, who complained that the station house officer, Central Crime Station women police station, Hyderabad, was unlawfully interfering in his personal life and matrimonial dispute with his wife. The petitioner alleged that he was being repeatedly summoned to the police station, detained, and threatened to agree to a divorce settlement, which he contended was illegal, arbitrary, and in violation of the Constitution. The petitioner sought a direction restraining the police from interfering in the matrimonial dispute or calling the petitioner to the police station, and from any coercive action affecting his liberty. The assistant government pleader sought time to obtain instructions.