CWP No.16938 of 2007 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CASE NO.: CWP No.16938 of 2007 (O&M) DATE OF DECISION: April 22, 2008 SUBASH CHANDER ...PETITIONER VERSUS PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SUPPLIES CORP. ...RESPONDENTS & ANOTHER CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHUTOSH MOHUNTA. HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA. PRESENT: MR. C.L. SHARMA, ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONERS. MR. S.C. THATAI, ADVOCATE FOR THE RESPONDENTS. ASHUTOSH MOHUNTA, J.(ORAL) C.M. No.7577 of 2008 Replication is taken on record. C.M. disposed of. MAIN CASE The petitioner has prayed that directions be issued to the respondents to release the retirement benefits including arrears of salary alongwith interest. Counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner has retired from service on 30.6.2004, and there is no valid reason to withhold his retiral dues. Written statement on behalf of the respondents has been filed wherein it has been averred that the petitioner has been served with a charge-sheet for the loss of Rs.21,83,494.75 due to damage of wheat for the CWP No.16938 of 2007 (O&M) -2- year 1995-96 and 1996-97 and also for excessive replacement of 1082 empty bags. The petitioner had filed his reply to the charge-sheet and had participated in the enquiry on 10.1.2008, but till date no final decision has been taken by the competent authority. Counsel for the respondents states that a final decision shall be taken within a period of one month from today. After hearing counsel for the parties, we dispose of the writ petition with a direction to respondent No.1 to decide the case of the petitioner on or before 31.5.2008. In case the petitioner is exonerated then his retiral dues be released within a period of one month thereafter. However, in case any adverse order is passed against the petitioner, he has the statutory right of filing an appeal. In case any appeal is filed by the petitioner then the same shall also be decided within a period of three months thereafter. (ASHUTOSH MOHUNTA) JUDGE April 22, 2008 (KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA) Gulati JUDGE