KARACHI, Sept 8: The Sindh Service Tribunal set aside dismissal order of a labour officer on Monday and remanded his case to the provincial labour department for a fresh inquiry within 90 days in accordance with the rules.

Allowing an appeal moved by Rab Nawaz Hingoro through Advocate Mansoorul Haq Solangi, the tribunal directed that he be reinstated in service from the date of his dismissal on April 12, 2001.

It observed that the departmental inquiry against the appellant was held behind his back and he was not supplied with a copy of the inquiry report. A major penalty such as dismissal could not be awarded without holding a regular inquiry under Rule 5 of the Sindh Civil Service (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973.

The inquiry was vitiated by the denial of an opportunity of the appellant to defend himself.

The main allegation against the appellant was that he appointed a number of ghost employees, including teenagers, and pocketed their salaries. Many of the employees complained that instead of being allowed to perform their normal duties, they were made to work at the appellant’s village. All allegations were vehemently denied by the appellant. The department held a summary inquiry, found him guilty and dismissed him from service.