WP(C) 1328/2011 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA Heard Mr. S.K. Talukdar, learned counsel for the petitioner as w ell as Mr. U. Rajbongshi, learned Standing Counsel, Transport Department. The petitioner, a Grade-IV employee (Cleaner) in the office of t he District Transport Officer, Golaghat is aggrieved by order dated 5.8.2009 (An nexure-8), by which she was placed under suspension on the ground of indulging i n political activities in the Municipal election, 2009. The order of suspension was not on account of contemplation of any departmental proceeding. Interestingl y, by Annexure-9 letter dated 3.12.2010 issued to the petitioner more than one y ear after the impugned order of suspension, the petitioner was directed to colle ct proof of her innocence. It appears that the petitioner was placed under suspe nsion on the basis of wishes of the political bosses. I have perused the related file in which the order of suspension was initiated and passed. It is revealed that the petitioner was placed under s uspension as she allegedly created nuisance in a public meeting organized by a p articular political party. However, the records have revealed that the plea of t he petitioner in one of her representations was that she had never attended the meeting and that she was bedridden on the particular day when the meeting was or ganized. Merely by placing the petitioner under suspension the matter did not come to an end. Suspension of an employee is taken recourse to for initiati on of departmental proceeding and/or in contemplation of departmental proceeding and the same is not the end in itself but a means to an end. On perusal of the related file what has transpired is that the r espondents have not initiated any action against the petitioner in respect of he r alleged misconduct rather asked her to proof her innocence. No review has also been carried out by the respondents. Continued suspension of the petitioner wil l serve no purpose. On the other hand, the petitioner made time to time represen tations seeking reinstatement of service highlighting the hardship that has fall en on her. Considering the matter in its entirety, this writ petition is al lowed by setting aside and quashing the impugned order of suspension dated 5.8.2 009 passed by the District Transport Officer, Golaghat, Assam. The petitioner sh ould be reinstated in service forthwith and she shall be paid admissible salary. If any decision is taken to proceed against the petitioner by way of a departme ntal proceeding, needless to say that the petitioner shall be provided with all reasonable opportunity of being heard. Writ petition is disposed of.