Home Case Index All Cases Customs Customs + HC Customs - 2017 (8) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2017 (8) TMI 582 - HC - CustomsPower of review - relevancy of the exoneration of disciplinary proceedings for quashing of sanction - Held that: - It is legally settled that the power of review is possible only when there is an express provision enabling the Authority to review the earlier stand. It is equally settled that in respect of the grant of sanction to prosecute, when once on certain materials the Sanctioning Authority decides not to grant sanction, certainly, on the same materials, the Sanctioning Authority cannot change its opinion. By a catena of decisions, it has been held that the authority entitled to grant sanction must apply its mind to the facts of the case, evidence collected and other incidental facts before according sanction. A grant of sanction is not an idle formality but a solemn and sacrosanct act, which removes the umbrella of protection of Government servants against frivolous prosecutions and the aforesaid requirements must, therefore, be strictly complied with before any prosecution could be launched against public servants. The mind of the Sanctioning Authority should not be under pressure from any quarter nor should any external force be acting upon it to take a decision one way or the other. Since the discretion to grant or not to grant sanction vests absolutely in the sanctioning authority, its discretion should be shown to have not been affected by any extraneous consideration. While law is thus settled, on the facts of the present case, the impugned sanction that has been given by the authority on the same material, which was available before the authority on the earlier occasion, when the refusal was made, cannot stand. The Sanctioning Authority having taken a lenient view earlier of declining to grant sanction has changed its opinion without any fresh materials and granted sanction, which cannot be allowed to stand. It is not permissible for the Sanctioning Authority to review or reconsider the matter on the same materials again. Petition allowed - decided in favor of petitioner.
|