Service Law - Appointment under Sportsperson Category - Validity - Punjab State Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination (PCS) 2009 - Appointment to PCS (Executive Branch) and Excise and Taxation Officer under Sportsperson category - Petitioner contended the illegality of appointments based on the non-affiliation of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) - Held, achievements at school level sports recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, suffice for eligibility - Appointments valid. Petition dismissed.

Service Law - Definition and Recognition of Sportsperson - Petitioner argued that non-affiliation of SGFI with IOA invalidated sports certificates of private respondents - Court noted the distinction between affiliated and recognized sports bodies - SGFI recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and had been affiliated with IOA during the relevant period - Achievements in national and international events conducted by SGFI valid for appointments - Petitioner's claim rejected.

Decision - Dismissal of Petition - Court upheld the appointments of respondents to PCS and Excise and Taxation Officer posts - SGFI's recognition and past affiliation with IOA considered sufficient - Petition dismissed.

Reservation for Sports Persons - Interpretation of "Won" - Constitutional Law - Sports Quota Eligibility - Article 14 - Article 226 - The appellant, who won a bronze medal in the 47th National School Games, was denied reservation under the sports category for the post of Sub Divisional Engineer (Civil). The court held that the term "won" as used in the eligibility criteria for the sports category specifically referred to winning a gold medal. The appellant's bronze medal did not meet this criterion, and thus, his claim for reservation was dismissed. [Paras 7-8, 10-11]

Strict Interpretation of Eligibility Criteria - Use of "Won" - Distinction in Terminology - The court emphasized the importance of strict interpretation of eligibility criteria, noting that "won" must be understood to mean achieving first place or a gold medal, as the rules also use explicit terms for first, second, and third positions where applicable. This distinction in terminology is crucial for maintaining the intended standards for reservation under the sports quota. [Paras 9, 15]

Policy and Purpose of Sports Reservation - Class-based Criteria - The court highlighted that the recruitment rules differentiate between various levels of posts, with more stringent criteria for higher posts. For Class I and Class II posts, winning a national championship implies securing a gold medal, whereas, for lower classes, placing in the top three positions suffices. This hierarchical structuring aligns with the intent to ensure higher qualifications for higher posts. [Paras 12-14]

Decision - Appeal Dismissed - No Merit Found - The appeal was dismissed, and the decision of the learned Single Judge was upheld. The court affirmed that the strict interpretation of "won" to mean winning a gold medal was appropriate and necessary for maintaining the integrity of the sports reservation policy. [Paras 16-17]

Cooperative Societies - Powers of Joint Registrar - Appeal to Registrar - Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 - The Joint Registrar exercised the powers of the Registrar under Section 27 of the Act, leading to the removal of the petitioners from the Board of Directors of a cooperative bank. The appeals against these orders were dismissed as not maintainable by the Additional Registrar, stating the orders were passed as a delegate of the Registrar. The court held that, per Section 3(5) of the Act, such orders are deemed to be of the person passing them, not the Registrar, for appeal purposes. The appeals were remanded to the Registrar Cooperative Societies for fresh adjudication. [Paras 1, 5, 18-20, 25]

Statutory Interpretation - Appeal Rights - Delegated Authority - The court clarified that Section 68 of the Act allows appeals to the Registrar against decisions made by the Joint or Additional Registrar exercising delegated powers. This interpretation prevents rendering Section 68(2) inoperative or redundant and aligns with legislative intent. [Paras 18-20, 27-28]

Decision - Remand for Fresh Consideration - Compliance with Procedural Requirements - The court set aside the impugned order dismissing the appeals as not maintainable and remanded the appeals to the Registrar Cooperative Societies for a decision on merits. The court emphasized that the merits of the case were not addressed, ensuring a fresh, unbiased adjudication. [Paras 39-40]

Ex-Gratia Compensation - Death in Service - Heart Attack - Central Civil Services (Extra-ordinary Pension) Rules - Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 - Constitution of India, Articles 226 and 227 - The petitioner, widow of a military farm worker who died of a heart attack during service, sought ex-gratia compensation under the Central Civil Services (Extra-ordinary Pension) Rules. The court held that such compensation is intended for deaths occurring under trying circumstances or due to accidents directly connected to the performance of duties. The petitioner’s claim was rejected as the death was due to natural causes and not related to any extraordinary risks associated with his duties. [Paras 1, 6, 13-15]

Conditions for Ex-Gratia Compensation - Casual Nexus - Performance of Duties - For ex-gratia compensation, there must be a causal connection between the death and the employee's performance of official duties. The court found that the petitioner’s husband’s death due to a heart attack did not meet this criterion, as his role as a farm hand did not involve trying circumstances or significant risk. [Paras 13-15]

Review and Appeal - Procedural Adherence - Tribunal’s Decision Upheld - The court upheld the Tribunal's dismissal of the petitioner’s claim, affirming that the decision to deny ex-gratia compensation was correct given the lack of a direct link between the deceased’s duties and his death. The petitioner's appeal for a review was also dismissed, confirming the initial assessment of the case. [Paras 17]

Decision - Dismissal of Writ Petition - Lack of Merit - The writ petition was dismissed on grounds of merit, with the court concluding that the petitioner’s case did not satisfy the conditions required for ex-gratia lumpsum compensation under the Central Civil Services (Extra-ordinary Pension) Rules. [Para 17]

Service of Summons - Ex-Parte Divorce Decree - Personal Service Requirement - High Court Rules and Orders - Civil Procedure Code, 1908 - Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - The appellant challenged an ex-parte divorce decree, arguing she was served notice through a newspaper with limited circulation in her area. The court emphasized that all possible efforts should be made to serve the respondent personally. If personal service fails, service should be attempted through an agent or family member, and if that also fails, affixation as per Order V Rule 17 CPC should be followed. The court found that these procedures were not followed in this case. [Paras 5-6]

High Court Rules and Orders - Service by Publication - Procedural Requirements - Remand for Fresh Consideration - The court highlighted that the procedural requirements for service by publication under the High Court Rules and Orders were not adhered to. It was noted that the court must ensure the respondent is informed through appropriate means, including direct service, before resorting to publication. [Paras 4-5]

Decision - Remand for Fresh Adjudication - Procedural Compliance - The appeal was allowed, and the case was remanded to the lower court for fresh adjudication from the stage where the appellant was ordered to be proceeded against ex-parte. The trial court was directed to ensure compliance with the proper service procedures. [Paras 6]

Constitutional Law - Right to Peaceful and Pollution-Free Life - No use of loudspeakers or public address systems without written permission, including in religious places - Restrictions apply to noise levels and times, especially during exams - Directions issued for compliance to ensure right to peaceful living - Petition disposed of with mandatory directions​​.

Constitutional Law - Public Interest Litigation - Environmental and Noise Pollution - Addressed issues including loudspeakers, musical instruments, sound amplifiers, and vehicle horns - Bans on pressure horns and restrictions on sound levels - Specific measures during night and in residential/silence zones - Comprehensive directives issued for effective law enforcement​​.

Environmental Law - Regulation of Noise Pollution - Compliance with Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 - Use of sound-emitting devices restricted by law - Directed authorities to monitor and ensure adherence to noise level standards - Strict penalties for violators established​​.

Arms Law - Regulation of Firearms - No fundamental right to hold firearms - Prohibition on carrying firearms in public gatherings, religious processions, or educational premises - Specific age and conduct-based restrictions for firearm licenses - Directions to ensure compliance with the Arms Act and Rules​​.

Decision - Comprehensive Directions for Enforcement - Detailed orders for Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh for noise and firearm regulation - Measures include public awareness campaigns, regular monitoring, and penal actions for non-compliance - Emphasis on protecting public health and maintaining order - Writ petitions disposed with extensive enforcement directives​​.

Pensionary Benefits - Delay in Release - Liability - Administrative Department vs. Treasury Department - Interest Award - The petitioner, retired on 30.04.2014, faced delays in receiving pensionary benefits, with payments ranging from three and a half to eleven months late. The court held the administrative department liable for delays in releasing pensionary benefits, rejecting the argument that the treasury department, as an agent of the administrative department, was responsible for the delays. Interest awarded for the delay in payment of GPF and gratuity. [Paras 1, 2, 5]

Responsibility for Timely Payment - Administrative Duty - Agent Relationship - The court emphasized that the duty to make timely payment of retiral benefits lies with the administrative department, not the treasury. The treasury acts as an agent and does not independently authorize pensionary benefits. Delays attributed to the treasury do not absolve the administrative department of liability for interest on delayed payments. [Paras 5]

Interest on Delayed Pensionary Benefits - Legal Precedent - A.S. Randhawa Case - The court referenced the Full Bench decision in A.S. Randhawa v. State of Punjab, which established that delays exceeding three months in releasing pensionary benefits, without valid justification, entitle the retiree to interest. This principle was applied to award interest to the petitioner. [Paras 6, 7]

Decision - Calculation and Payment of Interest - Compliance Timeline - The court directed the respondents to calculate the interest due on the delayed payment of GPF and gratuity at 9% per annum from the date the amounts became due until payment. The respondents were given two months to calculate the interest and one month thereafter to release the calculated interest to the petitioner. [Paras 8, 9]

Child Welfare - Repatriation of Children - Jurisdiction of Child Welfare Committee - Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - Societies Registration Act, 1860 - Income Tax Act, 1962 - Arya Anathalaya, registered and operating in Ferozepur, caring for children from Jharkhand, challenged the directive to repatriate these children. Court upheld the jurisdiction of the Child Welfare Committee to repatriate children to their home districts after consultation with the concerned Child Welfare Committees of Jharkhand, emphasizing the best interest of the children. [Paras 13-15]

Procedure - Children's Home Capacity - Consultation Requirement - Legal Compliance - The Court held that the repatriation directive must be implemented in a phased manner, ensuring coordination with the concerned Child Welfare Committees in Jharkhand. It highlighted the need to respect procedural requirements and the capacity constraints of the Anathalaya. [Paras 13-15]

Decision - Phased Repatriation - Adequate Notice and Coordination - The directive to repatriate children was upheld but ordered to be implemented in a phased manner with proper consultation. The State's agreement to afford sufficient time for repatriation addressed the petitioner's concerns. [Paras 16-19]

Right to Information - Public Authority - Definition - SGPC, a statutory body established under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, is considered a 'public authority' under the RTI Act, 2005. The institutions, though separate legal entities, are offshoots of the SGPC, managed by SGPC and thus also fall under the RTI Act - Petition dismissed​​.

Service Law - Educational Institutions under SGPC - Institutions established and controlled by SGPC, whether receiving government aid or not, are considered public authorities under the RTI Act. SGPC's claim of non-applicability of the RTI Act to unaided minority institutions rejected - Transparency and accountability upheld​​.

Decision - SGPC and Subsidiaries under RTI Act - SGPC and its managed institutions are deemed public authorities under the RTI Act. The plea that these institutions are independent and thus exempt from RTI Act is dismissed. Information must be provided as requested under the RTI Act - Petition dismissed​​.