The Allahabad High Court has upheld disciplinary action against a court clerk for losing a judicial file, stating that such errors undermine the justice system. The clerk, Mahaveer Sagar, had challenged the withholding of four increments due to the lost file. Despite investigations, the file could not be located, leading to the clerk being held responsible.
The court rejected Sagar’s argument that his accountability was not definitively proven, emphasizing the seriousness of losing a judicial file. It noted that the disciplinary proceedings were conducted fairly, with the clerk given ample opportunity to defend himself. The court affirmed that the punishment was appropriate under the service rules and proportional to the misconduct.
Highlighting the importance of handling such cases strictly, the judge stated that the court cannot intervene as an appellate authority in disciplinary matters. The court found no fault in the decisions of the disciplinary and appellate authorities, leading to the dismissal of Sagar’s petition. The disciplinary action against the clerk was upheld by the Delhi High Court.
