CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) & CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 1. CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) Dr. Naveet Kumar ......Petitioner Vs. Union of India and others ......Respondents 2. CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) Dr. Naveet Kumar ......Petitioner Vs. Union of India and others ......Respondents Reserved on : 06.08.2026 Date of Pronouncement : 02.09.2026 Date of Uploading : 04.09.2026 Whether only the operative part of the judgment is pronounced? NO Whether full judgment is pronounced? YES CORAM: HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA Present : Mr. Jangjit Singh Dahiya, Advocate, and Mr. Phool Kumar, Advocate, for the petitioner (in CWP-34219-2024). Mr. Kanwarpal Singh, Advocate, Mr. Sanal Kumar, Advocate, and Mr. Tanu Dhiman, Advocate, for the petitioner (in CWP-10785-2026). Mr. Karan Kumar Jund, Senior Panel Counsel, for the respondents (in both cases). **** SUDEEPTI SHARMA J. 1. Brief facts of the case are that the respondents issued advertisement dated 04.07.2023 for contractual posts of Medical Officer, Ex- VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2026.09.04 12:01 I agree to specified portions of this document CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) & CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) -2- serviceman Contributory Health Scheme Polyclinic, Panipat. Petitioner applied for the same and was employed on contract basis by the Board of Officers for the post of Medical Officer for a period of 11 months w.e.f. 17.01.2024 to 16.12.2024 under Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. His contract was for a period of 11 months which could be extended, subject to review of the conduct and performance of the person engaged on contractual basis. The contract of the petitioner was not extended for further period by the respondents vide order dated 16.12.2024. Further, on 06.11.2024, a fresh recruitment notice was advertised by the authorities in newspaper to fill various posts of medical, para medical and non-medical. Post held by the petitioner was also advertised through this recruitment notice. 2. The petitioner filed writ petition i.e. CWP-34219-2024 challenging the order dated 16.12.2024 passed by respondent No.4, whereby extension of contractual period was not granted to the petitioner and for quashing of the advertisement vide which post of the petitioner was re- advertised to be filled by way of contract. 3. Vide order dated 07.01.2025, the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court stayed order dated 16.12.2024 impugned in CWP-34219-2024. Because of the stay order dated 07.01.2025, the petitioner continued in service. Thereafter, FIR No.RC0052026A0001 dated 06.02.2026 was registered against the petitioner by the CBI, ACB, Chandigarh. Therefore, the services of the petitioner were terminated, vide order dated 10.03.2026 on the ground of registration of FIR against the petitioner. VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2026.09.04 12:01 I agree to specified portions of this document CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) & CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) -3- 4. The petitioner filed another writ petition i.e. CWP-10785-2026 challenging the order of termination dated 10.03.2026. 5. Since the petitioner in both the writ petition is the same, therefore, both the writ petitions are decided vide this common judgment. 6. Learned counsel for the petitioner, at the very outset, requested to withdraw both the writ petitions on the ground that FIR No.RC0052026A0001 dated 06.02.2026 has been registered against the petitioner and he is on regular bail and facing trial. 7. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondents contends that the contract of the petitioner was not extended vide order dated 16.12.2024, since the performance and conduct of the petitioner was found to be unsatisfactory and a number of complaints were received from the ECHS beneficiaries. But due to the stay granted by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, vide order dated 07.01.2025, the petitioner continued in service. Thereafter, FIR No.RC0052026A0001 dated 06.02.2026 was registered against the petitioner and as on date, he is on regular bail and facing trial. 8. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the both files of the writ petitions with their able assistance. 9. Though, learned counsel for the petitioner wishes to withdraw both the writ petitions on the ground that FIR has been registered against the petitioner and he is on regular bail and facing trial, but this Court is of the opinion that such kind of cases are required to be decided on merits as well. 10. Admittedly, the work and conduct of the petitioner was found to be unsatisfactory and due to number of complaints received from the ECHS VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2026.09.04 12:01 I agree to specified portions of this document CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) & CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) -4- beneficiaries, he was not granted further extension by the competent authority. He continued in service because of the interim stay granted by this Court, vide order dated 07.01.2025. The petitioner was involved in the corrupt practices because of which, FIR No.RC0052026A0001 dated 06.02.2026 was registered against him, for which he is facing trial as on date. CONCLUSION :- CWP-34219-2024 10. A perusal of the written statement filed by the respondents, along with annexures, further proves the allegations against the petitioner, for which his contractual period was not extended. Therefore, this Court does not find any merit in the writ petition i.e. CWP-34219-2024 and the same is hereby dismissed. CWP-10785-2026 12. A bare reading of the termination order dated 10.03.2026 shows that the same has been passed because of the registration of FIR against the petitioner. A perusal of the written statement filed by the respondents shows that the petitioner was involved in corrupt activities during April 2024 for which Director Vigilance, Central Organization ECHS, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) had carried out detailed questioning of petitioner. The respondents have also attached the C.D containing mobile communication of the petitioner with the representative of a hospital asking for Rs.10,00,000/- for empanelment of his hospital. The wife of the petitioner is still working in Ayushman Bhav Health Institute, VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2026.09.04 12:01 I agree to specified portions of this document CWP-34219-2024 (O&M) & CWP-10785-2026 (O&M) -5- Panipat. The respondents have attached Annexures R-4 to R-7 to support their stand in the written statement. Admittedly, the petitioner is on regular bail and is facing trial in FIR No.RC0052026A0001 dated 06.02.2026, since he was caught red-handed by the CBI while taking the bribe, pursuant to which, he was arrested and taken into custody. 13. In view of the above, the impugned termination order dated 10.03.2026 has rightly been passed. Therefore, the present writ petition i.e. CWP-10785-2026 is also dismissed. 14. Accordingly, both the writ petitions i.e. CWP-34219-2024 & CWP-10785-2026 are hereby dismissed. 15. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (SUDEEPTI SHARMA) JUDGE 02.09.2026 Virender Whether speaking/non-speaking : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2026.09.04 12:01 I agree to specified portions of this document