IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA, CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.15517 of 2010 Date of Decision: August 31, 2010 Harpal Kaur .....PETITIONER(S) VERSUS State of Punjab & Others .....RESPONDENT(S) . . . CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAI LAMBA PRESENT: - Mr. R.K. Arora, Advocate, for the petitioner(s). . . . AJAI LAMBA, J (Oral) 1. This civil writ petition has been filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus, directing the respondents to consider and decide statutory appeal dated 17.5.2010 filed by the petitioner, copy whereof has been placed on record as Annexure P-2. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was serving the respondents as Principal in the Department of Education, Punjab. Certain complaints were made against the petitioner and preliminary CWP No.15517 of 2010 [2] departmental enquiry was initiated. On submission of report, chargesheet was served on the petitioner to which she gave a reply denying all the charges. Subsequently, however, enquiry officer was appointed. The enquiry report indicts the petitioner whereupon penalty of stoppage of four annual increments with cumulative effect has been imposed vide Order Annexure P-1. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner is entitled to early decision on the statutory appeal. 4. Notice of motion. 5. Ms. Charu Tuli, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, on the asking of the Court, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. Requisite number of copies of the petition have been given to the learned counsel for the respondents in Court. 6. On request of learned counsel for the parties and in view of the limited prayer made in the petition, the matter is taken up at this stage itself for final adjudication in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case. 7. Since the petitioner has filed the appeal in May 2010 and no action thereon has been taken, I am of the considered opinion that the CWP No.15517 of 2010 [3] petitioner is entitled to early disposal of the statutory appeal as existence of impugned order not only affects the reputation of the petitioner but also her future prospects in service. 8. The petition is disposed of with direction to respondent No.2 to dispose of the statutory appeal dated 17.5.2010 (Annexure P-2) filed by the petitioner within three months of receipt of certified copy of this order, in accordance with law vide a speaking and reasoned order after giving opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. (AJAI LAMBA) August 31, 2010 JUDGE avin 1. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 2. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest?