K. Chandra Babu vs State of Kerala, The Excise Commissioner and The Convener

S. Siri Jagan, J.—The petitioner is an Excise Inspector working at Excise Circle Office, Cherthala, in Alappuzha District. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him, by issuing Ext.P5 memo of charges to which the petitioner has already filed Ext.P6 written statement of defence. The petitioner''s grievance is that disciplinary proceedings are not yet finalised even though Ext.P5 was issued on 22.12.2009. In the meantime petitioner''s juniors have been promoted superseding the petitioner, on the ground that disciplinary proceedings are pending against the petitioner even without following the sealed cover procedure is his grievance. However the petitioner now confines his relief for a direction to the respondents to complete the disciplinary proceedings within a time frame.

I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. Having heard both sides, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the respondents to see that the disciplinary proceedings initiated by issuing Ext.P5 memo of charges dated 22.12.2009 shall be completed in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.