Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 - Section 15 - A plain reading of the provision indicates that the member of the Force is considered to be always on duty.
Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 - Section 15 - Special Disability Leave claim - As long as there is an element of discharging official duties at the time of occurrence of the injury, the eligibility requirement would stand fulfilled.
Special Disability Leave claim can arise on account of injury or a disease/illness. The causal connection of the disability in the case of disease/illness becomes an intricate and complex question as it requires determination whether the employment contributed to the disease/injury suffered by an employee. However, in the present case the causal connection has to be examined in relation to the injury accidentally incurred. This question also has two limbs. First, accidental injury can be inflicted when an employee is on ―actual duty‖ or ―active duty‖. Second, the accidental injury is suffered when an employee was not on actual duty or was on casual leave. Before we discuss the law on this aspect, we would like to remind ourselves what we have already observed that in view of the wide scope of the Special Disability Leave Rules, the question of accidental injury and being on ―active duty‖ or ―deemed duty‖ is not directly relatable. The causal connection has to be ascertained in the context of ―the consequence of official position‖ and/or ―official duties‖. The entitlement of disability leave, may still require an enquiry to ascertain whether the injury accidentally incurred, is in consequence of the due performance of official position or is in discharge of his official position. This brings us to the question whether proceeding on leave or enjoyment of authorized leave is part of the employment. It must be borne in mind that the term accidental injury in its ordinary sense conveys that such injury has occurred unintended and unexpectedly. It must be understood as something that was unforeseeable and incomprehendible. [Paras 35 & 36]
Army Law - The courts have held that the attribution to injury in military service has to be understood in wide spectrum. It does not however mean that the principle of prudence and reasonableness would be ignored while determining such questions. Each case would have to be examined in accordance with its facts.
Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 - Section 15 - Special disability leave for accidental injury - Scope of the provisions for grant of Disability Pension - Scope of Provisions for grant of Special Disability Leave - Attributability of the injury to Official Duties / Official Position - Causal Connection - Discussed.
Facts of the Case
The injury was accidentally incurred by the Petitioner on a day when he was proceeding to his home town on sanctioned leave. Petitioner would not have been entitled to leave his duty without the permission and authorization by CISF. Petitioner had a valid leave certificate and thus he was undertaking the journey under authorization. Petitioner’s activity at the time of the injury cannot be said to be entirely alien to his official duty. Petitioner was proceeding to his home town on authorized leave and therefore he was doing an act that was essential for him to avail his leave at his home town duly authorized by CISF. The accidental injury has occurred as a consequence of the Petitioner's official duties. Thus there is apparent and requisite nexus which provides a causal connection between the injuries suffered by the Petitioner and his official duties.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
CORAM: JUSTICE S. MURALIDHAR JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA
Pronounced on: 31st January, 2019
W.P.(C) 1488/2017
BHAGU RAM ..... Petitioner Through: Mr. P. Sureshan, Advocate. versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS ..... Respondents Through: Mr. Akshay Makhija, CGSC for
UOI/R-1 to 3 with Ms. Seerat Deep Singh and Ms. Mahima Bahl, Advocates.
J U D G M E N T
SANJEEV NARULA, J
1. The Petitioner who is working as Constable with Central Industrial
Security Force (CISF) has filed the present petition under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India challenging the orders passed by the Respondents
declining to regularize 317 days of leave as special disability leave.
Factual Background
2. The brief facts leading to the filing of the present petition are that
the Petitioner applied for leave for going to his home at Village Khandwa on 29th November 2010.
His request was acceded to and he was granted leave from 30th November, 2010
to 5th December,
2010. Accordingly, the Petitioner availing the four days sanctioned leave, left
for his home on 30th November, 2010 at about 6.00 pm. Unfortunately, while
crossing the service road in front of INA Market, New Delhi a motor cyclist who
was driving at high speed hit him. As a result of the impact, Petitioner
suffered serious injuries and fractured his leg. He was admitted at Safdarjung
Hospital and was given the necessary treatment.
3. The Company Commander, CISF sent an accident report to the Unit
Commandant on 1st December, 2010 and vide letter dated 22nd December,
2010, Petitioner was granted one month medical leave. This was followed by a
letter recommending two months’ home rest w.e.f. 22nd January, 2011.
Since the Petitioner was still undergoing treatment, after the expiry of one
month’s home rest, he requested for three months’ extension. This request was
accepted by the Respondents. Petitioner was again admitted in Hospital and had
to undergo another operation on his leg on 11th July, 2011. This was also
brought to the notice of the Commandant vide letter dated 12th July, 2011
written by the Assistant Commandant of the CISF to the Commandant of the CISF.
By Note-sheet dated 19th July, 2011, Petitioner was recommended home rest, as
he was not in a position to move.
4. A leave certificate dated 16th August, 2011 was issued to the Petitioner approving 28
days leave from 16th August, 2011 to 13th
September, 2011 followed by a Note sheet
dated 13th September, 2011 recommending him one month’s rest. On 13th October, 2011,
Petitioner submitted his fitness certificate and two days later on 15th October, 2011,
the Office of the Deputy Commandant ordered to conduct an inquiry to ascertain
the reason of the Petitioner’s accident and the resultant home rest. The
concerned Officer submitted his report on 26th
November, 2011 and observed that
Petitioner required long medical leave on account of the treatment being
received by the Petitioner.
5. Thereafter, the Deputy Inspector General vide letter dated 17th October, 2013
sought certain clarifications from the Petitioner for regularization of his
medical leave. On requisite information being provided, CISF vide letter dated
3rd April
2014, informed the Petitioner that the Court of Inquiry conducted by the GBS
New Delhi has observed that “since the injury suffered by Constable Bhagu
Ram was while going on leave, hence the injury is not attributable to service.”
Based on the finding that the accident took place while the Petitioner was on
leave and not on official duty, Petitioner was held not eligible for Special
Disability Leave for the sick/medical rest period of 317 days w.e.f. 30th November, 2010
to 12th October, 2011.
6. Dissatisfied with the above response, Petitioner preferred an appeal
before DG Headquarter. However, the said appeal was also rejected vide order
dated 22nd December, 2014. The revision petition filed against the said order was
also rejected but on the ground that there was no provision to consider the
same.
7. The Petitioner has approached this Court assailing the orders dated 3rd April, 2014
and 22nd December, 2014.
Submissions of the parties
8. The learned counsel for the Petitioner argued that the action of the
Respondent declining to regularize his disability leave is illegal, as the
Petitioner is a member of Armed Paramilitary Forces and should be treated on
duty even when he proceeded on authorized leave. In support of his submission,
he relied upon the decisions of the Supreme Court in Pension Sanctioning
Authority, PCDA (P) Allahabad v. M.L. George, Ex , (2015) 15 SCC 399,
Union of India v. Smt. Roshini Devi, 2010 SCC Online P & H 7525,
Ex. Constable Avtar Singh v. Union of India 2015 SCC Online P & H
1442, Sukhwant Singh v. Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of
Defence, (2012) 12 SCC 228 and of this Court in Mr. Jitender
Kumar v. Chief of Army Staff (2007) LAB I.C 141.
9. Learned counsel further asserted that the Petitioner was in service
uniform at the time of the accident and was proceeding to his home with the
leave certificate issued by the CISF after following all the mandatory
directions and therefore he should be considered to be on duty at the time of
the accident. Additionally, he argued that Armed Paramilitary Personnel working
with CISF are always under the disciplinary control of the organization and
that he shall be deemed to be on duty even when he is travelling to his home
town with specific leave certificate and warrants obtained from his unit.
10. Mr. Akshay Makhija, Central Government Standing Counsel, on the other
hand, argued that the judgments relied upon by the Petitioner are inapplicable
to the facts in hand, as the same concerns the grant of disability pension and
not disability leave. He further distinguished the said judgments on facts by
arguing that the said case law would govern only the officers of Indian Army
who are governed by Defence Service Regulations. He submitted that there is a
specific provision in the Regulations that entitled the Army Personnel to
disability pension and therefore the said judgments would not have any
persuasive value in the facts of the present case. He urged that the present
Petitioner being member of CISF, will be governed by CCS (Leave) Rules. The
said Rules do not contain any provision enabling him similar benefits as are
available to Indian Army officers. Lastly, referring to Rules 44 and 45 of the
above stated Rules he submitted that the injury inflicted on the Petitioner was
on account of motor accident and the same has no correlation to his official
duties.
Analysis and Findings
11. The Petitioner is a Constable with CISF and has suffered an injury on
account of road accident on the day when he proceeded on the sanctioned five
days earned leave (EL) w.e.f. 30th November, 2010. Since on the fateful day he was on an
EL, an interesting legal question that arises for consideration is whether the
Petitioner would be entitled to special disability leave on account of the
above stated injury.
Scope of the provisions for grant of Disability
Pension
12. Since the counsels have made elaborate submissions on the question of
applicability and relevance of the case law cited by the Petitioner concerning
disability pension, it would be apt to first take note of the relevant Rules
that govern the grant of disability pension and understand the scope of
the said provisions. For Army Personnel, the relevant provision is Regulation
48 * of Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 (Part-I), which reads as under:-
48. (a) Unless otherwise specifically provided a disability pension
consisting of service element and disability element may be granted to an
officer who is invalided out of service on account of a disability which is
attributable to or aggravated by military service in non-battle casualty cases
and is assessed at 20 percent or more.
(b) The question whether a disability is attributable to or aggravated
by military service shall be determined under the rules in Appendix II.
APPENDIX II
ENTITLEMENT RULES FOR CASUALTY PENSIONARY AWARDS, 1982
12. A person subject to the disciplinary code of the Armed Forces is on
“duty.
a.xxx xxx xxx
b. xxx xxx xxx
c. During the period of participation in recreation and other unit
activities organized or permitted by Service Authorities and during the period
of travelling in a body or singly by a prescribed or organized route.
(d) When proceeding from his leave station or returning to duty from
his leave station, provided entitled to travel at public expenses i.e. on
railway warrants, on concessional voucher on cash TA (irrespective of whether
railway warrant/cash. TA is admitted for the whole journey or for a portion
only), in government transport or when road mileage is paid/payable for the
journey.”
* We have noted that the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 have
been superseded by the Pension Regulation for the Army, 2008. However, Pension
Regulations, 1961 are still applicable to those personnel to whom no provision
is made in Pension Regulation for the Army, 2008.
13. There is a similar provision for grant of Disability Pension for
the members of the Central Armed Police Forces. Since members of CISF are
governed by CCS Rules, we find that the relevant rules are contained in Central
Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, and the same read as under:-
“3-A. (1)
(a) Disablement shall be accepted as due to Government service, provided that
it is certified that it is due to wound, injury or disease which –
(i) is attributable to Government service, or
(ii) existed before or arose during Government service and has been and
remains aggravated thereby.
(b) Death shall be accepted as due to Government service provided it is
certified that it was due to or hastened by-
(i) a wound, injury or disease which was attributable to Government
service, or
(ii) the aggravation by Government service of a wound, injury or disease
which existed before or arose during Government service.
(2) There shall be a casual connection between-
(a) disablement and Government service; and
(b) death and Government service,
for attributability or aggravation to be conceded.
Guidelines in this regard are given in the Appendix which shall be treated as
part and parcel of these Rules.”
14. We have also noticed that there are guidelines issued by the Government
for disability pension given to Armed Paramilitary Personnel and the relevant
part is reproduced hereinbelow: “
GUIDELINES FOR CONCEDING ATTRIBUTABILITY OF
DISABLEMENT OR DEATH TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
4. (a) (i) Injuries sustained when the man is 'on duty' will be deemed
to have arisen in, or resulted from, Government service ; but in cases of
injuries due to serious negligence or misconduct, the question of reducing the
disability pension will be considered.
(ii) In cases of self-inflicted injuries while on duty, attributability
will not be conceded unless it is established that service factors were
responsible for such action ; in cases where attributability is conceded, the
question of grant of disability pension at full or at a reduced rate will be
considered.
(b) A person subject to the disciplinary code of the Central Armed
Police Battalions, is 'on duty'.
(i) When performing an official task or a task, failure to do which
would constitute an offence, triable under the disciplinary code, applicable to
him.
(ii) When moving from one place of duty to another place of duty
irrespective of the method of movement.
(iii) During the period of participation in recreation, organized or
permitted by service authorities, and during the period of travelling in a body
or singly under organized arrangements.
(iv) When proceeding from his duty station to his
leave station on returning to duty from his leave station at public expenses,
that is, on Railway warrant, on cash TA (irrespective of whether Railway
warrant/cash TA is admitted for the whole journey or for a portion only), in
Government transport or when road mileage is paid for the journey.
(v) When journeying by a reasonable route from one's
official residence to and back from the appointed place of duty irrespective of
the mode of conveyance, whether private or provided by the Government. Superscript 1 means Substituted by G.I., Dept. of P.
& P.W., O.M. No. 33/1/89-P. & P.W. (K), dated the 22nd January, 1992.
(c) An accident which occurs when a man is not strictly 'on duty' as
defined above, may also be attributable to service, provided that it involved
risk which was definitely enhanced in kind or degree by the nature, conditions,
obligations or incidents of his service and that the same was not a risk common
to human existence in modern conditions in India. Thus, for example, where a
person is killed or injured by someone by reason of his belonging to an Armed
Police Battalion (and in the course of his duty in such service, he had
incurred wrath of such person) he shall be deemed to be 'on duty' at the
relevant time.
This benefit will be given more liberally to the
claimant in cases occurring on 'active service' as defined in the relevant
Acts/Rules (e.g., those applicable to BSF/CRPF, etc., Personnel).
NOTE 1. -
a. Personnel of the Central Armed Police Battalions participating in
(i) local/national/international sports tournaments as member of service teams,
or (ii) mountaineering/gliding expeditions organized by the service
authorities, with the approval of Government, will be deemed to be 'on duty'
for purposes of the entitlement rules of disability and family pension.
b. The above personnel participating in the above-mentioned sports
tournaments or in privately organized mountaineering expeditions or indulging
in gliding as a hobby, in their individual capacity, will not be deemed to be
'on duty' for purposes of those rules, even though prior permission of the
competent service authorities may have been obtained by them.
c. Injuries sustained by the above personnel in impromptu games and
sports outside parade hours, which are organized by, or with the approval of,
the local service authority, and deaths arising from such injuries will be
regarded as having occurred while 'on duty' for purposes of these rules.
NOTE 2. - The above personnel deputed for Training Courses conducted by
the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, or other similar recognized
institutes, shall be treated on par with personnel attending other authorized
professional courses or exercises for the services for the purpose of the grant
of disability/family pensions on account of disability/death sustained during
the courses.”
15. The aforesaid Rules clearly contain specific provisions which deal with
the concept of deemed to be “on duty”. Both, in Defence Services Regulations as
well as in Central Services (Extraordinary Pension Rules), an enabling
provision has been incorporated that entitles a person to the benefits of
disability pension if he/she is deemed to be “on duty”. During the period when
he/she proceeds to his leave station or is returning to duty from his leave
station, the officer gets the benefit of the deeming provision.
16. In this context, several judgments have been delivered by the Supreme
Court, some of which have also been relied upon by the Petitioner and it would
be appropriate to note a few.
17. In Pension Sanctioning Authority, PCDA (P) Allahabad and Others
v. M.L. George, Ex. SGT (supra) the question arose with respect to
grant of disability pension on account of an accident that occurred when the
Respondent, in the said case, was returning to his place of duty after availing
one day’s casual leave. The Court referred to its earlier decision in the case
of Madan Singh Shekhawat v. Union of India, (1999) SC 3378 and
held as under:
"Appeals preferred by the Respondent before the Appellate
Authority having failed, the matter eventually landed in the Armed Forces
Appellate Tribunal who upon a reappraisal of the factual matrix and the rule
position came to the conclusion that the disability suffered by the Respondent
was attributable to military service.....The question that fell for
consideration was whether the Appellant in that case was on duty and whether
the disability was attributable to military service. Relying upon the
provisions of Rule 10 of Defence Service Regulation this Court held that casual
leave counts as duty except as provided in Regulation 11(a) and that since the
case of the Respondent did not fall under any one of the exceptions Under
Regulation 11(a) of the Regulations, the Appellant was on duty at the time of
the accident. This Court further placed reliance upon Regulation 48 of the
Regulations aforementioned to hold that a person is deemed to be on duty during
the period of participation in recreation, organized or permitted by service
authorities and while travelling in a body or singly under organized
arrangements. A person was on duty even when proceeding to his leave station or
returning to duty from his leave station at public expense. This Court
observed:
"9. Rule 48 of the said regulation contemplates admissibility of
disability pension. It has enumerated various cases under which an army
personnel is entitled to the grant of disability pension. 10. Rule 48 reads
thus:
"48. Disability pension when admissible-An officer who is retired
from military service on account of a disability which is attributable to or
aggravated by such service and is assessed at 20 per cent or over may, on
retirement, be awarded a disability pension consisting of a service element and
a disability element in accordance with the regulations in this section;"
11. In respect of accidents
the following rules will be observed:
"(a)-(b) * * *
(c) A person is also deemed to be 'on duty' during the period of
participation in recreation, organized or permitted by service authorities and
of travelling in a body or singly under organized arrangements. A person is
also considered to be 'on duty' when proceeding to his leave station or
returning to duty from his leave station at public expense."
12. This rule is a deeming
provision which provides for situations under which a person on duty, if he
suffers disability, is entitled to the grant of disability pension. The last
part of this sub-rule provides that a person incurring disability when
proceeding to his leave station or returning to duty from his leave station at
public expense is also entitled to the grant of disability pension.”
(emphasis supplied)
18. In Jitendra Kumar v. Chief of Army Staff and Others in
W.P.(C) No. 19839/2005, a coordinate Bench of this Court disposed of batch of
petitions by a common judgment deciding the identical question relating to
disability pension on account of death or injury suffered whilst on
casual/annual sick leave. In the said decision again, this Court considered the
provisions relating to the grant of pensionary benefits and interpreted
Regulations 48, 173 and 185 of Defence Service Regulations. The relevant paras
read as under:-
"5. The provisions that grants a right to claim disability pension
to an officer or even other members of the force are Regulations 48 and 173 of
the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 respectively. These are the
substantive provisions, which enable an applicant to claim and creates a
counter obligation upon the authorities to pay disability pension in the event
the claimant satisfies the ingredients of these provisions. There is no
ambiguity in the language of Regulation 173 and it clearly spells out its
requirements. Regulation 173 reads as under:
173 Unless otherwise specifically provided a disability pension
consisting of service element and disability element may be granted to an
individual who is invalided out of service on account of a disability which is
attributable to or aggravated by military service in non-battle casualty and is
assessed 20 per cent or over.
The question whether a disability is attributable to or aggravated by
military service shall be determined under the rule in Appendix II.
6. A bare reading of this provision clearly shows that two essential
conditions, which a claimant is required to satisfy are that his disability is
20% or over and the disability is attributable to or aggravated by military
service in non-battle casualty. Once these two ingredients are satisfied, the
claim deserves merits. The question whether a disability is attributable to or
aggravated by military service shall be determined under the rule in Appendix-II.
Though Appendix II has been titled as "Entitlement Rules for Casualty
Pensionary Awards, 1982", it specifically refers to Regulations 48, 173
& 185 of the Regulations. Appendix II does not determine the grant or
refusal of disability pension but reference to this Appendix is essential only
for the purpose of answering the question of attributability and/or aggravation
by military service. To say that the Entitlement Rule in Appendix II overrides
the provisions of Regulation 173 would be offending the known can one of
statutory interpretation.
7. Appendix II is a mere supplement to the substantive Regulations 48
and 173 and cannot frustrate what is granted by the substantive provisions. It
only indicates as to what kind of factors are to be taken into consideration
for determining aggravation/attributability to military service. To lay
unnecessary emphasis on this Appendix and its various clauses in depriving what
is granted in Regulation 173 would neither be just nor permissible."
19. A similar view has been taken by the Full Bench of Punjab and Haryana
High Court in the case of Union of India v. Khushbhash Singh ILR
(2010) 2 P & H 472 (FB) and the Division Bench of Punjab and Haryana High
Court in UOI v. Roshni Devi (Supra).
20. From the above, it can clearly be seen that there is a consistent view
taken by the Supreme Court and various other High Courts and thus it can be
said that it is no longer res-integra that a person who is governed by
the provisions of the Army Act, would be treated on duty when proceeding to
his leave station or returning to duty from his leave station at public expense
and hence would be entitled to the benefits accruing therefrom in accordance
with law.
21. As noted above, there is a similar provision in the CCS (Extraordinary
Pension) Rules and the guidelines reproduced above, the relevant portion
whereof reads as under:- “
(b) A person subject to the disciplinary code of the Central Armed
Police Battalions, is 'on duty'.
(iv) When proceeding from his duty station to his leave station on
returning to duty from his leave station at public expenses, that is, on
Railway warrant, on cash TA (irrespective of whether Railway warrant/cash TA is
admitted for the whole journey or for a portion only), in Government transport
or when road mileage is paid for the journey.
(v) When journeying by a reasonable route from one's official residence
to and back from the appointed place of duty irrespective of the mode of
conveyance, whether private or provided by the Government.”
22. Thus, it appears that the officers, who are be governed by CCS
(Extraordinary Pension ) Rules, would be treated to be “on duty” when they
proceed on casual leave or are returning from leave for the purpose of taking
benefit of disability pension, subject however to fulfillment of the other
conditions as specified in the aforesaid provision.
Scope of Provisions for grant of Special Disability
Leave
23. In the present case, we are concerned with Special Disability Leave arising
out of an injury and therefore we now proceed to examine the relevant rules for
this entitlement.
24. As per Rule 63 of the CISF Rules, the Petitioner being a member of CISF,
is governed by CCS (Leave) Rules. The relevant Rules for grant of Special
Disability Leave are Rules 44 and 45 that read as under:-
“44. Special disability leave for injury intentionally
inflicted:
(1) The authority competent to grant leave may grant special disability
leave to a Government servant (whether permanent or temporary) who is disabled
by injury intentionally inflicted or caused in, or in consequence of the due
performance of his official duties or in consequence of his official position.
(2) Such leave shall not be granted unless the disability manifested
itself within three months of the occurrence to which it is attributed and the
person disabled acted with due promptitude in bringing it to notice:
Provided that the authority competent to grant leave may, if it is
satisfied as to the cause of the disability, permit leave to be granted in
cases where the disability manifested itself more than three months after the
occurrence of its cause.
(3) The period of leave granted shall be such as is certified by an
Authorized Medical Attendant and shall in no case exceed 24 months;
(4) Special disability leave may be combined with leave of any other
kind.
(5) Special disability leave may be granted more than once if the disability
is aggravated or reproduced in similar circumstances at later date, but not
more than 24 months of such leave shall be granted in consequence of any on
disability.
(6) Special disability leave shall be counted as duty in calculating
service for pension and shall not, except the leave granted under the proviso
to Clause (b) of sub-rule(7), be debited against the leave account.
(7) Leave salary during such leave shall:
(a) for the first 120 days of any period of such leave, including a
period of such leave granted under sub-rule (5), be equal for leave salary
while on earned leave;
(b) for the remaining period of any such leave, be equal to leave
salary during half pay leave:
Provided that a Government servant may, at his option, be allowed leave
salary as in sub-rule (a) for a period not exceeding another 120 days, and in
the event the period of such leave shall be debited to his half pay leave
account.
NOTE:- Leave salary in respect of special disability leave granted to a
Government servant who has rendered service under more than one Government may
be apportioned between the Governments in accordance with the normal rules.
(8) (a) In the case of a person to whom the Workmen’s Compensation Act,
1923 (8 of 1923), applies, the amount of leave salary payable under this rule
shall be reduced by the amount of compensation payable under Clause (d) of
sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the said Act.
(b) In the case of a person to whom the Employees’ State Insurance Act,
1948 (34 of 1948), applies the amount of leave salary payable under this rule
shall be reduced by the amount of benefit payable under the said Act for the
corresponding period.
(9) (a)The provisions of this rule shall also apply-
(i) to a civil Government servant disabled in consequences of service
with a military force, if he is discharged as unfit for further military
service, but is not completely and permanently incapacitated for further civil
service; and
(ii) to a civil servant not so discharged who suffers a disability
which is certified by a Medical Board to be directly attributed to his service
with a military force.
(b) In either case, any period of leave granted to such a person under
military rules in respect of that disability shall be reckoned as leave granted
under this rule for the purpose of calculating the period admissible.
45. Special disability leave for accidental injury:
(1) The provisions of Rule 44 shall apply also to a Government servant
whether permanent or temporary, who is disabled by injury accidentally incurred
in, or in consequence of, the due performance of his official duties or in
consequence of his official position, or by illness incurred in the performance
of any particular duty, which has the effect of increasing his liability to
illness or injury beyond the ordinary risk attaching to the civil post which he
holds.
(2) The grant of special disability leave in such case shall be subject
to the further conditions:-
(i) That the disability, if due to disease, must be certified by an
Authorized Medical Attendant to be directly due to the performance of the
particular duty;
(ii) that, if the Government servant has contracted such disability
during service otherwise than with a military force, it must be, in the opinion
of the authority competent to sanction leave, exceptional in character’ and
(iii) that the period of absence recommended by an Authorized Medical
Attendant may be covered in part, by leave under this rule and in part by any
other kind of leave, and that the amount of special disability leave granted on
leave salary equal to that admissible on earned leave shall not exceed 120
days.”
25. It can be seen from the above that the Rules dealing with disability
leave, in fact, do not provide for the rigour of the officer/ claimant being “on
duty” or “deemed on duty” in order to avail the benefits of Special Disability
Leave. The language of Rule 45 of CCS (Leave) Rules 1972 that concerns Special
Disability Leave arising on account of accidental injury makes it clear that
the aforesaid provision is wide enough and can be invoked by the Government
Servant, “who is disabled by injury accidentally incurred in, or in consequence
of the due performance of his official duties or in consequence of his official
position". The wording makes it abundantly clear that the Government
Officer would be entitled to the Special Disability Leave in case the injury is
relatable to the performance of the official duties and also in a case where
the same has occurred in consequence of his official position. The emphasis is
on the expression “due performance of his official duties” or “in
consequence of his official position”. The provision does not require that
for disability leave, the accidental injury necessarily be inflicted at the
time when an officer is “on duty”. The expressions “due performance” and “in
consequence” take within their realm the span of time when the Officer may not
be on active duty and is not actually performing the duties.
26. The rule of interpretation requires that when the language of the
provision is clear and unambiguous, no interpretation should be given to it. Thus
in our considered view, a plain reading of Rules 44 and 45 clearly indicates
that in order to take benefit of the aforesaid provision, the Government
Servant is only required to show that the injury accidently incurred is
attributable to the performance of official duties or has been in consequence
of the official position. This view has also been cited by the Division Bench
of Madhya Pradesh High court in the case of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
v. Sant Kumar Nahar reported in 2006(2) MPHT 164. The relevant part
reads as under:
"A perusal of the language of the Rule makes it abundantly clear
that the Rule is not restricted in its application to injuries which arise in
the performance of official duties alone and the language of the Rules is wide
enough to include all injuries "caused in or in consequences of", the
discharge of "official duties or in consequences of his official
position". Thus, it is clear that an employee is entitled to the benefit
of special disability leave in case he is disabled by injuries caused not just
in the performance of his official duties but also in consequence of his
official position."
Attributability of the injury to Official Duties /
Official Position- Causal Connection
27. This brings us to another legal aspect, concerning the question of
causal connection.
28. We note that the High court of Madhya Pradesh, in the facts of the said
case perhaps did not deem necessary to examine the question relating to the
causal connection of the injury. While noting the divergent views of the
Supreme Court in the case of General Manager, B.E.S.T Undertaking, Bombay
v. Mrs. Agnes (1963) II LLJ 615 SC and Employees' State Insurance
Corporation v. Francis De Costa (1997) ILLJ 34 SC, the Court noted that
the question was academic and did not consider it necessary to decide the
applicability of the judgments. In the present case, the Respondents have
particularly raised the objection of the Petitioner's eligibility on the ground
that the injury had not incurred as a consequence of due performance of the
Petitioner’s official duties and therefore, we are examining this question as
well.
29. Causal connection means the nexus between the effect and the alleged
cause. In the present case, in light of the expression “in consequence of”
“official position” or “performance of official duties” appearing
in the relevant rules, the cause-and-effect would have to be understood in the
context, whether there the disability suffered by an employee has any direct or
proximate cause and effect with his “official position” or “performance of
official duties”. The genesis of the law relating to “causal connection” has a
reference to provisions of Workman’s Compensation Act, where the expression “by
accident arising out of and in course of his employment” occurs in Section
3 of the Workman Compensation Act. Similar expression appears in Regulation 173
of Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 which reads as under: “
173. Unless otherwise specifically provided a disability pension
consisting of service element and disability element may be granted to an
individual who is invalided out of service on account of disability which is
attributable to or aggravated by military service is non-battle casualty and is
assessed at 20 percent or over.
The question whether a disability is attributable to or aggravated by
military service shall be determined under the rule in Appendix II.”
30. The causal connection has been subject matter of several decisions of
the Supreme Court. Invariably, the stand of the Respondent is that an injury
suffered during leave period has no causal connection with employment. In many
recent decisions, the Supreme Court has held that an employee would be entitled
to Disability Pension even if the injury is sustained when an employee is on
casual leave. Though majority of the decisions are in the context of Disability
Pension, but the ratio of the said judgments would still be applicable to the
facts of the case in so far as it relates to the question of determination of
causal connection. We would like to note few decisions of the Supreme Court on
the subject.
31. In General Manager B.E.S.T. Undertaking, Bombay v. Agnes (supra),
the Court held that the driver of the Petitioner’s undertaking met with
an accident while going home from duty would be covered by this expression
entitling the driver’s family to receive the compensation. Further, in case of Madan
Singh (supra), the Supreme Court while determining the question held
that a person on casual leave while travelling even on his own expense suffers
from an injury, such would be attributable to the military service entitling
him to receive the disability pension. The Court in Madan Singh (supra),thus
enlarged the scope and meaning of the word “public expense” with respect to
Clause 10(2), Regulation 173 and held as under:-
"13. If the expression "at public expense" is to be
construed literally then under the Rules referred to above, an army personal
incurring a disability during his travel at his own expenses will not be
entitled to the benefit of Rule 6(c) (supra). The object of the rule, as we
see, is to provide relief to a victim of accident during the travel. If that be
so, the nature of expenditure incurred for the purpose of such travel is wholly
alien to the object of the rule."
32. It thus emerges that the courts have repeatedly held that the
legislative intent is towards the liberal construction of the provisions. The
Courts have held that the intent is to give the wider scope while considering
the question of the attributability of the injury to the service.
33. Now, in this background, we take note of the specific provisions
appearing in CISF Act which can throw light on the concept of an Officer being “on
duty”. Section 15 of CISF reads as under:-
“
15 Officers and members of the Force to be considered always on duty
and liable to be employed anywhere in India. —
(1) Every 51 [***] member of the Force shall, for the purpose of
this act, be considered to be always on duty, and shall, at any time, be liable
to be employed at any place within 52 [or outside] India.
(2) Save as provided in section 14, no 51 [***] member of the force shall
engage himself in any employment or office other than his duties under this
Act.”
34. A plain reading of the aforesaid provision indicates that the member of
the Force is considered to be always on duty.
35. Special Disability Leave claim can arise on account of injury or a
disease/illness. The causal connection of the disability in the case of
disease/illness becomes an intricate and complex question as it requires
determination whether the employment contributed to the disease/injury suffered
by an employee. However, in the present case the causal connection has to be
examined in relation to the injury accidentally incurred.
36. This question also has two limbs. First, accidental injury can be
inflicted when an employee is on “actual duty” or “active duty”. Second, the
accidental injury is suffered when an employee was not on actual duty or was on
casual leave. Before we discuss the law on this aspect, we would like to remind
ourselves what we have already observed that in view of the wide scope of the
Special Disability Leave Rules, the question of accidental injury and being on “active
duty” or “deemed duty” is not directly relatable. The causal connection has to
be ascertained in the context of “the consequence of official position” and/or “official
duties”. The entitlement of disability leave, may still require an enquiry to
ascertain whether the injury accidentally incurred, is in consequence of the
due performance of official position or is in discharge of his official
position. This brings us to the question whether proceeding on leave or
enjoyment of authorized leave is part of the employment. It must be borne in
mind that the term accidental injury in its ordinary sense conveys that such
injury has occurred unintended and unexpectedly. It must be understood as
something that was unforeseeable and incomprehendible. As long as there is an
element of discharging official duties at the time of occurrence of the injury,
the eligibility requirement would stand fulfilled. The injury was accidentally
incurred by the Petitioner on a day when he was proceeding to his home town on
sanctioned leave. Petitioner would not have been entitled to leave his duty
without the permission and authorization by CISF. Petitioner had a valid leave
certificate and thus he was undertaking the journey under authorization.
Petitioner’s activity at the time of the injury cannot be said to be entirely
alien to his official duty. Petitioner was proceeding to his home town on
authorized leave and therefore he was doing an act that was essential for him
to avail his leave at his home town duly authorized by CISF. The accidental
injury has occurred as a consequence of the Petitioner's official duties. Thus
there is apparent and requisite nexus which provides a causal connection
between the injuries suffered by the Petitioner and his official duties. The
respondents have relied upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in Regional
Director, E.S.I Corporation & Anr v. Francis De Costa &Anr (supra)
to contend that the a road accident cannot be said to have arisen out of
employment. First and foremost, it is to be noticed that the aforesaid judgment
is in the context of a claim by a workman under Employees’ State Insurance Act,
1948, wherein “employment injury” has been defined under section 2(8) as under:
"(8) “ employment injury" means a personal injury to an employee
caused by accident or an occupational disease arising out of and in the course
of his employment, being an insurable employment, whether the accident occurs
or the occupational disease is contracted within or outside the territorial
limits of India"
37. The ratio of the said judgment would not be applicable to the facts of
the present case where the causal connection has to be determined in light of
distinct rules as discussed above. We have also noticed the recent judgments of
the Supreme Court wherein it has consistently held that injury suffered by an
officer during casual leave would not render him ineligible to disability
benefits. The courts have held that the attribution to injury in military
service has to be understood in wide spectrum. It does not however mean that
the principle of prudence and reasonableness would be ignored while determining
such questions. Each case would have to be examined in accordance with its
facts. In this regard reference may be made to judgments passed by this Court
in the case of Ex. AC Somveer Rana v. Union of India WP (C) No.
2418/2004, Ex. Hav (AEC) Bhup Singh v. Union of India WP (C) No.
2325/2005, Hayat Mohammed v. Union of India (2007) 138 DLT 537
and Supreme Court in Union of India v. Surendra Pandey, (2015) 13
SCC 625. We are also conscious that most of the decisions of the Supreme Court
and the Coordinate Bench of this Court are concerning the Officers of the
Indian Army, but that would not render the ratio inapplicable to the present
case on the question of causal connection viz the attribution of the injuries
to the official duties/official position.
38. In view of the above discussion, the petition is allowed. The orders
dated 3rd April 2014 and 22nd December 2014 are set aside. Respondents are directed
to regularize the leave of the Petitioner as Special Disability Leave as is
permissible under the CCS (Leave) Rules. The consequential orders be passed
within a period of four weeks. No order as to costs.