SCMR 1988

1988 PLP 1984 (SCMR)

PAKISTAN RAILWAYS, LAHORE — Petitioner Versus MANZOOR HUSSAIN and 2 others — Respondents

Jurisdiction / Court
High Court
Decided Date
Civil Petitions for Leave to Appeal Nos. 730 to 733 of 1982, decided on 2nd August, 1988.
Honorable Judges
Shafiur Rahman and Ali Hussain Qazilbash, JJ
Case Reference Summary (AEO Optimized)
Citation 1988 PLP 1984 (SCMR)
Forum / Court High Court
Bench Members Shafiur Rahman and Ali Hussain Qazilbash, JJ
Parties PAKISTAN RAILWAYS, LAHORE — Petitioner Versus MANZOOR HUSSAIN and 2 others — Respondents
Primary Law Payment of Wages Act (IV of 1936)
💡 Quick Legal QA & Summary / سوال و جواب خلاصہ
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 1988 PLP 1984 (SCMR)?

This judgment primarily cites: Payment of Wages Act (IV of 1936) as referenced in Pakistani case law index.

Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 1988 PLP 1984 (SCMR)?

The case was heard and decided by the High Court bench comprising: Shafiur Rahman and Ali Hussain Qazilbash, JJ.

Q3: What is the official citation format for this judgment on Pakistan Law Portal?

Cite this legal precedent as: 1988 PLP 1984 (SCMR) (PAKISTAN RAILWAYS, LAHORE — Petitioner Versus MANZOOR HUSSAIN and 2 others — Respondents). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.

Laws Cited

Payment of Wages Act (IV of 1936)

Representation

  • Ch. Muhammad Aslam Chattha, Advocate-on-Record for Petitioners.
  • Nemo for Respondents.
  • Date of hearing: 2nd August, 1988.
  • Ch. Muhammad Aslam Chattha, Advocate‑on‑Record for Petitioners.
  • Ch. Muhammad Aslam Chattha, Advocate, learned counsel for the petitioner, contends that in the first place, for the period of suspension, pay in addition to the subsistence allowance which was to the extent of half the rate of the pay, could not be allowed under the rules. If at all full pay had to be allowed, the subsistence allowance had to be adjusted in the final payment. In the second place, it is contended, that a determination as to whether the employees were entitled to full pay or not, could take place only by the competent authority at a stage when their criminal trial had come to an end, so as to facilitate the determination of the question as to the nature and extent of their implication in the crime. The reference to the decision of the Appellate Tribunal case is objected to on the ground that it was a case where the criminal trial had come to an end, the prosecution of the employee was held to be mala fide and unjustified and he had been honourably acquitted.

Headnotes / Summary

(From the judgment dated 30-5-1982 of the Lahore High Court, Lahore, passed in Writ Petitions Nos.1627, 1624, 1625 and 1623 of 1982 respectively).

S.15--Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Arts. 185(3) & 199--Wages during suspension period--Determination of--Adjustment of subsistence allowance--Railway employees prosecuted under Criminal Law and suspended--Pending criminal cases employees were held entitled to full pay in addition to subsistence allowance--Order imp ugnea--Pleas raised that (i) pay in addition to subsistence allowance which was to the extent of half the rate of pay, could not be allowed under the rules and if at all full pay had to be allowed, subsistence allowance had to be adjusted in final payment, and (ii) determination as to whether employees were entitled to full pay or not, could be made only by the competent authority at a stage when their criminal trial ,had come to an end, so as to facilitate determination of the question as to the nature and extent of their implication in the crime--Leave to appeal granted to examine the question of law of general application "Whether a decision with regard to entitlement for the suspension period could prematurely be taken and whether subsistence allowance was not required to be adjusted in pay, if it was released in favour of employee. Ehsan ul Haque Khan v. Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Lahore NLR 1979 Tr. C . Pb. 352 ref.

Judgment & Decree

Ehsan ul Haque Khan v. Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Lahore NLR 1979 Tr. C . Pb. 352 ref. Ch. Muhammad Aslam Chattha, Advocate‑on‑Record for Petitioners. Nemo for Respondents. Date of hearing: 2nd August, 1988. SHAFIUR RAHMAN, J.‑‑This order disposes of the four petitions all seeking leave to appeal against the judgment of the Lahore High Court dated 30th of May, 1982 whereby the Constitutional Petitions filed by the petitioner, were dismissed in limine. The contesting respondents in each of these petitions were employees of the petitioner. They were prosecuted criminally and arrested. Following their arrest and pending the criminal cases they were placed under suspension. They approached the Labour Court which directed their re‑instatement. The appellate Court maintained that order. Subsequently, the respondents moved the authority under the Payment of Wages Act for payment to them of the pay for the period of suspension. The Authority following the decision of the Appellate Labour Tribunal given in the case of Ehsan‑ul‑Haque Khan v. Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Lahore N L R 1979 Tr.C. Pb. 352 held them en‑titled to full pay in addition to the subsistence allowance paid to them. This order has not been interfered with by the impugned order. Ch. Muhammad Aslam Chattha, Advocate, learned counsel for the petitioner, contends that in the first place, for the period of suspension, pay in addition to the subsistence allowance which was to the extent of half the rate of the pay, could not be allowed under the rules. If at all full pay had to be allowed, the subsistence allowance had to be adjusted in the final payment. In the second place, it is contended, that a determination as to whether the employees were entitled to full pay or not, could take place only by the competent authority at a stage when their criminal trial had come to an end, so as to facilitate the determination of the question as to the nature and extent of their implication in the crime. The reference to the decision of the Appellate Tribunal case is objected to on the ground that it was a case where the criminal trial had come to an end, the prosecution of the employee was held to be mala fide and unjustified and he had been honourably acquitted. After hearing the learned counsel, we find that in fact a question of law of general application arises, "whether a decisions with regard to the entitlement for the suspension period .could prematurely be taken and whether subsistence allowance is not required to be adjusted in pay if it is released in favour of the employee". Leave to appeal is granted accordingly. M.I/D‑26/S Leave granted.