IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP. No. 5337 of 2009 Date of Decision: 22.4.2009. Sharanjit Singh --Petitioner Versus State of Punjab & others --Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI. Present:- Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Advocate for the petitioner. *** PERMOD KOHLI.J (ORAL) Notice of motion. Mr. B.S. Chahal, DAG, Punjab has been asked to accept notice on behalf of respondents-State. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, this petition is disposed of at the motion stage. The petitioner has challenged the letters dated 31.12.2008 and 8.1.2009, whereby the petitioner has been asked to explain his absence and also to join duty and deposit the amount collected by him. It is stated on behalf of the petitioner that the petitioner was never absent and is continuously attending his duties. The petitioner has made a representation (Annexure P-5) and also served a legal notice dated 7.2.2009 (Annexure P- 6) but no decision has been taken thereon till date. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner will be satisfied if respondents are directed to take decision on the representation/legal notice of the petitioner after affording him adequate opportunity of being heard. CWP. No. 5337 of 2009 -2- In view of the above, this petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to take decision on the representation/legal notice of the petitioner within a period of three months from the date certified copy of this order is served upon the competent authority. The petitioner shall be afforded adequate opportunity of being heard to establish that he was not absent from the duty. After hearing the petitioner and examining the record, the respondents may pass the consequential order. However, in the event the claim of the petitioner is to be rejected, the same shall be by a reasoned and speaking order. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE 22.4.2009 lucky