High Court said that if the order affects the image then a hearing is necessary and directed to take a decision within a month

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court, while making a significant observation in the matter of cancellation of selection of ATVM facilitator Rohit Soni by the North Central Railway, has said that if the image of the person concerned is affected by any order, then it is necessary to give him an opportunity of being heard before passing it.

Justice Saral Srivastava and Justice Garima Prasad, comprising the division bench, gave this order during the hearing of the case of Rohit Soni vs Union of India and others.

Advocate Nitish Kumar Soni, representing the petitioner, told the court that on April 27, 2026, the Assistant Commercial Manager/Coaching, North Central Railway, terminated Rohit Soni’s contract as an ATVM facilitator with immediate effect without a show cause notice or hearing. He also confiscated the security deposit of Rs 50,000.

The petition alleged that the Railway Administration had violated the principles of natural justice by taking unilateral and malicious action. The Railway Administration submitted to the court that the competent authority in the matter be directed to consider the petitioner’s complaint.

After going through the records, the High Court held that the impugned order creates a “stigma” against the petitioner and hence, an opportunity of hearing should have been given before passing the order.

Disposing of the petition without commenting on the merits of the case, the court permitted the petitioner to file a fresh representation before the Assistant Commercial Manager, North Central Railway, Prayagraj, within one month. It also directed that the competent authority provide the petitioner with an opportunity for a personal hearing and render a decision in accordance with the law within one month.