IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR THURSDAY, THE 12TH FEBRUARY 2009 / 23RD MAGHA 1930 WP(C).No. 4666 of 2009(E) ----------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------- N. SAJEEVA DATHAN, (FOREST DEPOT RANGE OFFICER (UNDER SUSPENSION) TIMBER SALES DEPOT, VEETTOR) PUTHENPURACKAL HOUSE, MANAKAD.P.O, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN - 685 584. BY MR.S.P.ARAVINDAKSHAN PILLAY, SENIOR ADVOCATE BY ADVS. SMT.N.SANTHA MR.K.A.BALAN MR.PETER JOSE CHRISTO MR.S.A.ANAND RESPONDENT(S): ---------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FOREST AND WILD LIFE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, FOREST HEADQUARTRS, VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 014. 3. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (VIGILANCE), FOREST HEADQUARTERS, VAZHUTHCAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 014. GOVERNMENT PLEADER MR.ANTONY MUKKATH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 12/02/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, J -------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No. 4666 of 2009 --------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 12th day of February, 2009 JUDGMENT The petitioner was suspended from service as per Ext.P1 while working as Range Officer, along with Divisional Forest Officer and the Conservator of Forests. A reading of Ext.P1 shows that, it is based on a report that appeared in the 'Mathrubhoomi' daily dated 29-9-2008 to the effect that there was large scale corruption in the auction of timber in Veettoor Depot held on 28.8.2008. On conducting an enquiry by the Vigilance wing of the department it was revealed that the petitioner, the Conservator of Forests, Thrissur Circle and the Divisional Forest Officer, Timber Sales, Perumbavoor were found to be prima facie guilty and hence it was decided by the Government to place them under suspension. Seeking for revocation of order of suspension, he has moved the Government by filing Ext.P3 dated 10.1.2009. 2. Heard the learned Government Pleader also. In the light of the grounds urged in Ext.P3, there will be a direction to the first respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 within a wpc:4666 of 2009 2 period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment after hearing the petitioner also. The writ petition is disposed of as above. T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, JUDGE