IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.22044 of 2011 VIDYANAND DAS, S/O LATE BUDHNATH DAS R/O GRAM BENIBARI, P.S.- BALIA BELON, DISTRICT- KATIHAR ……….Petitioner Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR 2. DIRECTOR, PRIMARY EDUCATION, BIHAR, PATNA 3. DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, KATIHAR 4. DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, KATIHAR 5. BLOCK EDUCATIONAL OFFICER, BARSOYEE, KATIHAR 6. PANCHAYAT SACHIB GRAM PANCHAYAT RAJ CHAUNDI, BLOCK BARSOYEE 7. MUKHIYA GRAM PANCHAYAT RAJ CHAUNDI, BLOCK-BARSOYEE, DISTRICT- KATIHAR ………….Respondents ---------------------------------- 2. 14.12.2011 The present writ petition has been filed for a direction to the respondents authorities to reinstate the petitioner against the post of Panchayat Teacher, Chaundi Panchayat Block Barsoyee, District- Katihar at Primary School Khikhir Tola. It appears from the records that the petitioner has filed an appeal vide Appeal No. 146/2011 before the Appellate Tribunal, Katihar, which is still pending. It is stated and submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the appeal is not being disposed of despite repeated notices to the respondents, which though served are not being responded to. If that be so, this Court is of the view that the default on the part of the respondents in appearing before the Tribunal despite service of notices cannot work to the prejudice of the petitioner. In this view of the matter, it is expected that the Tribunal shall take appropriate steps to hear and dispose of the matter expeditiously preferably within a period of four months hereof. In case the respondents continue not to appear despite valid service of fresh notice, the Tribunal shall be free to proceed in the matter and decide the issue on merits in absence of the respondents. With the above observations, the writ petition is disposed of. Fahad. ( Vikash Jain, J. )