Statutory Functionary

Statutory functionaries did not have the authority to take away accrued legal rights of affected persons.

Decision by a statutory functionary on the basis of a direction by a superior officer was a nullity.

Decision by a statutory functionary on the basis of a direction by a superior officer was a nullity.

Held, it was an unwritten rule of the law, constitutional and administrative, that whenever a decision-making function was entrusted to the subjective satisfaction of a statutory functionary, there was an implicit obligation to apply his mind to pertinent and proximate matters only, eschewing the irrelevant and the remote.

Held, it was an unwritten rule of the law, constitutional and administrative, that whenever a decision-making function was entrusted to the subjective satisfaction of a statutory functionary, there was an implicit obligation to apply his mind to pertinent and proximate matters only, eschewing the irrelevant and the remote.

Government functionaries, in a democratic set up, would be just, fair and reasonable in their approach towards citizen.

Scope of powers??Powers of statutory functionary cannot travel beyond the statute creating it??Every action of a statutory functionary must be backed by law??No inherent powers vest in a statutory functionary??Statutory functionary distinguished from Court of general jurisdiction.