CWP-11643-2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA 121 DR. RUCHIRA KHULLAR STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE Present:- Mr. Mr. Gurjot S. Dhaliwal, Advocate Mr. Mukesh Kumar Patrawat, Advocate Ms. Tanushree Gupta Haryana. TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA The petition has been filed, quashing the impugned suspension order dated being arbitrary and 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that as Principal in had ordered the vide order dated 0 Government College. However, the said student filed a complaint against her after about a year embezzlement into the matter, report, dated 10.12.2025, Annexure P collected as fines waste material 2026 -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP Date of Decision: DR. RUCHIRA KHULLAR Versus OF HARYANA AND OTHERS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA Mr. Aditya Jain, Advocate with Ms. Kannan Jain, Advocate Mr. Gurjot S. Dhaliwal, Advocate Mr. Mukesh Kumar Patrawat, Advocate Ms. Tanushree Gupta, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Haryana. TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA, J. (Oral) The petition has been filed, inter alia quashing the impugned suspension order dated being arbitrary and mala fide. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that in Pt. J. L. N. Government College, Sector 16 ordered the expulsion of a student of M.A. vide order dated 06.10.2023. Later, she was transferred to some other Government College. However, the said student filed a complaint against her after about a year on 19.12.2024 before different authorities, alleging embezzlement. An enquiry was ordered to be conducted, and into the matter, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Faridabad, submitted a closure , dated 10.12.2025, Annexure P-7. It records that the amount of funds fines, donation as well as the amount received material, were deposited in the bank account. IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-11643-2026 Date of Decision: 20.04.2026 …Petitioner(s) …Respondent(s) TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA Ms. Kannan Jain, Advocate Mr. Gurjot S. Dhaliwal, Advocate Mr. Mukesh Kumar Patrawat, Advocate for the petitioner. Senior Deputy Advocate General, inter alia, seeking a writ of certiorari quashing the impugned suspension order dated 25.03.2026, Annexure P-18, Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that while working Government College, Sector 16A, Faridabad, she A. (Economics) from the College . Later, she was transferred to some other Government College. However, the said student filed a complaint against her before different authorities, alleging o be conducted, and after enquiring Divisional Officer, Faridabad, submitted a closure . It records that the amount of funds amount received from the sale of ank account. Although there was a Senior Deputy Advocate General, certiorari , while working , Faridabad, she m the College . Later, she was transferred to some other Government College. However, the said student filed a complaint against her before different authorities, alleging after enquiring Divisional Officer, Faridabad, submitted a closure . It records that the amount of funds sale of there was a Aman Dua 2026.04.28 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this judicial document CWP-11643-2026 delay of about five months in doing so, received, no fraud appears to be made out suspend the petit contended that the petitioner has also submitted her representation dated 28.03.2026, Annexure P 3. Learned State counsel has received instructions from Department, vide memo dated as Annexure ‘A’. It is to the following complaints regarding f rules in appointment of Clerk vide memo dated 10.01.2025, appointed Smt. Sunidhi, the then District Higher Education Officer College, Nacholi (Faridabad) ( Singh Gulia, the then Principal, Government College, Mohna, Faridabad (Now Retd.) to enquire into the matter and to send the inquiry report to the Directorate. Further, on dated 14.02.2025, a complaint dated 20.12.2024 made by S M.A. Economics, 2 against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal was also forwarded to the above said committee and it was again directed to the committee to submit the fact report dated 13.03.2025 in which the allegations against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal were proved, the matter was placed before the Administrative Authority for appropriate orders. Pursuant to the direct memo dated 25.03.2026 (Annexure P under suspension with immediate effect, and her headquarters were fixed at the office of the Principal, Government College for Women, Faridabad. 2026 -2- delay of about five months in doing so, on account of the amount having been no fraud appears to be made out. Accordingly, there is no basis to suspend the petitioner vide the impugned order dated contended that the petitioner has also submitted her representation dated , Annexure P-19, in this regard, which Learned State counsel has received instructions from , vide memo dated 19.04.2026, which as Annexure ‘A’. It is to the following effect:- In this regard, it is submitted that after receiving complaints regarding financial embezzlement and violation of rules in appointment of Clerk, against the petitioner, this office vide memo dated 10.01.2025, appointed Smt. Sunidhi, the then District Higher Education Officer College, Nacholi (Faridabad) (Now Retd.) and Sh. Shamsher Singh Gulia, the then Principal, Government College, Mohna, Faridabad (Now Retd.) to enquire into the matter and to send the inquiry report to the Directorate. Further, on dated 14.02.2025, a complaint dated 20.12.2024 made by S M.A. Economics, 2nd year regarding financial embezzlement against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal was also forwarded to the above said committee and it was again directed to the committee to submit the fact-finding enquiry. It was further submitted that upon receipt of the inquiry report dated 13.03.2025 in which the allegations against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal were proved, the matter was placed before the Administrative Authority for appropriate orders. Pursuant to the directions of the Authority, this office, vide memo dated 25.03.2026 (Annexure P under suspension with immediate effect, and her headquarters were fixed at the office of the Principal, Government College for Women, Faridabad. on account of the amount having been . Accordingly, there is no basis to ioner vide the impugned order dated 25.03.2026. Further, it is contended that the petitioner has also submitted her representation dated which has also not been decided. Learned State counsel has received instructions from the , which is retained on the file case In this regard, it is submitted that after receiving inancial embezzlement and violation of against the petitioner, this office vide memo dated 10.01.2025, appointed Smt. Sunidhi, the then District Higher Education Officer-cum-Principal, Government Now Retd.) and Sh. Shamsher Singh Gulia, the then Principal, Government College, Mohna, Faridabad (Now Retd.) to enquire into the matter and to send the inquiry report to the Directorate. Further, on dated 14.02.2025, a complaint dated 20.12.2024 made by Sh. Krishan Kumar, student year regarding financial embezzlement against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal was also forwarded to the above said committee and it was again directed to the committee finding enquiry. further submitted that upon receipt of the inquiry report dated 13.03.2025 in which the allegations against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal were proved, the matter was placed before the Administrative Authority for appropriate orders. ions of the Authority, this office, vide memo dated 25.03.2026 (Annexure P-18), placed the petitioner under suspension with immediate effect, and her headquarters were fixed at the office of the Principal, Government College for on account of the amount having been . Accordingly, there is no basis to . Further, it is contended that the petitioner has also submitted her representation dated the retained on the file case In this regard, it is submitted that after receiving inancial embezzlement and violation of against the petitioner, this office vide memo dated 10.01.2025, appointed Smt. Sunidhi, the then Principal, Government Now Retd.) and Sh. Shamsher Singh Gulia, the then Principal, Government College, Mohna, Faridabad (Now Retd.) to enquire into the matter and to send the inquiry report to the Directorate. Further, on dated 14.02.2025, a h. Krishan Kumar, student year regarding financial embezzlement against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal was also forwarded to the above said committee and it was again directed to the committee further submitted that upon receipt of the inquiry report dated 13.03.2025 in which the allegations against Dr. Ruchira Khullar, Principal were proved, the matter was placed before the Administrative Authority for appropriate orders. ions of the Authority, this office, vide 18), placed the petitioner under suspension with immediate effect, and her headquarters were fixed at the office of the Principal, Government College for Aman Dua 2026.04.28 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this judicial document CWP-11643-2026 Audit Cell of this office was directed to conduct a special audit of the last three financial years of Government College, Faridabad, which is presently under process. On that basis, it has been contended that to proceed against the petitioner further after receiving report. 4. In this view decided to place the petitioner enquiry, and is required. Besides, it goes without saying that suspension in itself punishment. Therefore, there is nothing to conclude that the impugned order placing the petitioner under suspension is arbitrary or without any basis. 5. A order, the petition stands proceed further against the petitioner and instructions are duly followed adhered to. Besides, the petitioner’s representation dated 20.04.2026 Ad 2026 -3- Further, vide memo dated 28.03.2026 (Annexure R Audit Cell of this office was directed to conduct a special audit of the last three financial years of Government College, Faridabad, which is presently under process. On that basis, it has been contended that the Department will decide whether proceed against the petitioner further after receiving In this view of the matter, it is apparent that the Department has place the petitioner under suspension s in the process of taking further action required. Besides, it goes without saying that suspension in itself punishment. Therefore, there is nothing to conclude that the impugned order placing the petitioner under suspension is arbitrary or without any basis. Accordingly, finding no ground to interfere with the impug , the petition stands disposed of. In case t proceed further against the petitioner, it shall be ensured that and instructions are duly followed and the Principles of Natural Justice are . Besides, the Department will be at liberty to take decision on the petitioner’s representation dated 28.03.2026, in accordance with law. Whether speaking/reasoned Whether reportable vide memo dated 28.03.2026 (Annexure R-1), the Audit Cell of this office was directed to conduct a special audit of the last three financial years of Government College, Faridabad, the Department will decide whether proceed against the petitioner further after receiving the special audit of the matter, it is apparent that the Department has under suspension on the basis of a fact-finding of taking further action in the case, as may be required. Besides, it goes without saying that suspension in itself is not a punishment. Therefore, there is nothing to conclude that the impugned order placing the petitioner under suspension is arbitrary or without any basis. inding no ground to interfere with the impugned disposed of. In case the Department decides to it shall be ensured that the relevant rules and the Principles of Natural Justice are will be at liberty to take decision on the , in accordance with law. (TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA) JUDGE Yes/No Yes/No 1), the Audit Cell of this office was directed to conduct a special audit of the last three financial years of Government College, Faridabad, the Department will decide whether udit of the matter, it is apparent that the Department has finding as may be is not a punishment. Therefore, there is nothing to conclude that the impugned order ned to the relevant rules and the Principles of Natural Justice are will be at liberty to take decision on the ) Aman Dua 2026.04.28 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this judicial document