IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA, CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.7306 of 2009 Date of Decision: May 14, 2009 Harbhajan Singh .....PETITIONER(S) VERSUS Union of India & Others .....RESPONDENT(S) . . . CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAI LAMBA PRESENT: - Mr. K.S. Dadwal, Advocate, for the petitioner. . . . AJAI LAMBA, J (Oral) This civil writ petition has been filed by Ex.Naik Subedar Harbhajan Singh under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing respondent No.2 to consider and decide Post Confirmation Petition dated 3.11.2008 (Annexure P-1) filed against Order dated 23.8.2008, under the Army Act. Learned counsel contends that while the petitioner was posted in Jammu, after having served the Indian Army for 24 years, an incident took place for which Court Martial proceedings were held. The petitioner was proposed to be given CWP No.7306 of 2009 [2] punishment (a) forfeiture of three years’ service for the purposes of pension and; (b) to be severely reprimanded. At the stage of confirmation, order of removal was passed. The petitioner exercising his right filed a Post Confirmation Petition that has been placed on record as Annexure P-1, on 3.11.2008. The receipt of the petition has been acknowledged, however, the same has neither been considered nor a decision thereupon has been taken till date. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is entitled to expeditious disposal/ decision of the petition filed by him. Issue notice of motion. Ms. Geeta Singhwal, Central Government Standing Counsel, on the asking of the Court, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. Copy of the petition has been given to her. The petition is disposed of at this stage itself in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, with directions to the respondents to deal with the Post Confirmation Petition (Annexure P-1) and take a decision thereon, within four months of receipt of certified copy of the order. (AJAI LAMBA) May 14, 2009 JUDGE avin