Kanwar Amninder Singh vs High Court Of Uttarakhand At Naintal And Another

Ramesh Ranganathan, CJ

After arguing for some time, Mr. Aditya Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner, states that, instead of adjudicating the validity of the suspension

order, it would suffice if this Court were to direct that the inquiry proceedings be concluded within a specified time frame.

When we asked learned counsel for the petitioner regarding the stage at which the inquiry proceedings are pending, he would state that the last

witness, on behalf of the prosecution, is being examined; thereafter the petitioner is required to adduce evidence in his defence; the petitioner has only

one witness to examine on his behalf; he would co-operate with the inquiry, even if held on a day to day basis; and the inquiry proceedings be

completed at the earliest.

While the submission, urged on behalf of the petitioner by Mr. Aditya Singh, learned counsel, that the disciplinary proceedings should be completed

at the earliest, has considerable force, it would be inappropriate for this Court to issue a mandamus to the Inquiry Officer to complete the inquiry

proceedings within a specified time frame.

Suffice it, in such circumstances, to request the Inquiry Officer (a sitting Judge of this Court) to complete the inquiry with utmost expedition,

preferably within two months from the date of production of a certified copy of this order.

Needless to state that the petitioner shall cooperate in the early completion of the inquiry, and shall not seek unnecessary adjournments.

The Writ Petition is, accordingly, disposed of. No costs.