IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN THURSDAY, THE 4TH DECEMBER 2008 / 13TH AGRAHAYANA 1930 WP(C).No. 35059 of 2008(W) ------------------------------------------ PETITIONER(S): -------------------------- K.N.SREEKUMAR, DEPUTY RANGER, CHEMBALA FOREST STATION, CHEMPANARUVI P.O., VIA PUNALUR, KOLLAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.S.P.ARAVINDAKSHAN PILLAY SMT.N.SANTHA SRI.K.A.BALAN SRI.PETER JOSE CHRISTO SRI.S.A.ANAND RESPONDENT(S): ---------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FOREST AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN 695 001. 2. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION), FOREST HEADQUARTERS, VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN 695 010. 3. CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, AGASTHYAVANAM BIOLOGICAL PARK, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN 695 010. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT. ANU SIVARAMAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04/12/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: Kss P.N.RAVINDRAN, J. ------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.35059 of 2008 ------------------------------- Dated this the 4th December, 2008. J U D G M E N T Heard Sri.S.P.Aravindakshan Pillay, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Smt.Anu Sivaraman, the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents. 2. The petitioner is presently working as Deputy Ranger. By Ext.P3 order passed on 1.6.2001, the third respondent imposed on the petitioner the punishment of barring of three increments with cumulative effect. The petitioner carried the matter in appeal. By Ext.P5 order passed on 12.11.2001, the second respondent rejected the appeal. The petitioner thereupon filed Ext.P7 review petition before the Government. The petitioner's grievance is that though the review petition was heard on 27.11.2007, till date, orders have not been passed in the matter. In this writ petition, the petitioner inter alia prays for a direction to the Government to consider Ext.P7 review petition W.P.(C) No.35059/2008 2 and pass orders thereon, within a time limit to be fixed by this Court. 3. The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits on instructions received from the second respondent that after the hearing held on 27.11.2007, the Secretary to Government had called for certain clarifications from the second respondent and that the clarifications have not so far been received by the Secretary to Government. The learned Government Pleader further submits that the clarification sought for will be furnished within one month from today and that thereafter Ext.P7 review petition will be disposed of, after affording the petitioner a further opportunity of being heard. 4. In the light of the said submission, I dispose of the Writ Petition with the following directions. The second respondent shall within one month from today furnish the clarification sought by the Government. The Secretary to Government, Forest and Wild Life Department shall, after the clarification is received, issue notice of hearing to the petitioner, W.P.(C) No.35059/2008 3 hear him and pass final orders on Ext.P7 review petition, within a period of three months thereafter. It is clarified that I have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the contentions raised by the petitioner and they are left open. P.N.RAVINDRAN, JUDGE nj.