IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.W.P. No. 12832 of 2009. [O&M] Date of Decision: 19th April, 2010. Parkash Singh Petitioner through Mr. Sharwan Sehgal, Advocate Versus State of Punjab & Ors. Respondents through Mr. Yatender Sharma, DAG, Punjab. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT. 1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? SURYA KANT, J. [ORAL] The petitioner seeks a Mandamus to direct the respondents to release his retiral dues including the Death-cum- Retirement Gratuity, leave encashment, pension, arrears of Group Insurance Scheme etc. along with interest. The petitioner joined the Department of Excise and Taxation, Government of Punjab as a Clerk on 9.11.1983 and pursuant to his further promotion, he retired as an Excise and Taxation Officer w.e.f. 31.05.2009 on attaining the age of superannuation. Since the retiral benefits have not been released so far, the petitioner has approached this Court. The respondents have filed their counter-affidavit. During the course of hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner points out that pursuant to the interim directions dated 24.8.2009, all the retiral dues have been paid to the petitioner except the gratuity, the payment of which has been withheld due to pendency of disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services [Punishment and Appeal Rules], 1970, while he was in service. Having heard learned counsel for the parties at some length and on perusal of the record, I am of the considered view that it would be expedient and in the interest of justice as well as both the parties that the disciplinary proceedings are concluded at the earliest. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of with a direction to the respondents to conclude the pending departmental inquiry against the petitioner by 31.8.2010. The Competent Authority shall take a decision within one month thereafter regarding release of the withheld amount of gratuity, keeping in view the outcome of the enquiry. Disposed of. Dasti. April 19, 2010. ( SURYA KANT ) dinesh JUDGE