IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN FRIDAY, THE 14TH MARCH 2008 / 24TH PHALGUNA 1929 WP(C).No. 8797 of 2008(V) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------- PADMAKUMARY, D/O.SAROJINI AMMA AGED 37 YEARS, SREEPADMAM, EDAVATTOM CHIRAKKARA P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.R.SATISH KUMAR RESPONDENTS: ---------------- 1. THE DIRECTOR DIARY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, PATTOM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. CHIRAKKARA EDAVATTOM KSHEEROLPADAKA CO-OP. SOCIETY LTD. NO. 237(D), A.P. COS. CHIRAKKARA P.O., KOLLAM. 3. B.SUMESH, PRESIDENT CHIRAKKARA EDAVATTOM KSHEEROLPADAKA CO-OP.SOCIETY LTD. NO. 237(D), A.P.COS., CHIRAKKARA P.O. KOLLAM. R1 BY SENIOR GOVT. PLEADER, SMT.ANU SIVARAMAN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 14/03/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHANAN, J. ----------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No. 8797 OF 2008 ----------------------------------------------- Dated this the 14th day of March, 2008 JUDGMENT Learned Senior Government Pleader takes notice for 1st respondent. Notice to respondents 2 and 3 are dispensed with in the nature of the directions being issued. 2. The petitioner stands suspended from the service of the 2nd respondent. She alleges that she had promptly replied to the show cause notice and there is not ground to place her under suspension. She attributes the suspension to the 3rd respondent. 3. Having perused Ext.P11, it is seen that the petitioner was issued a show cause notice for alleged indiscipline. She gave reply. But the committee of the society, was not satisfied to the reply. She, accordingly, has been placed under suspension on 28.02.08, pending detailed enquiry. That order having been issued only on 28.02.08, the apprehension of the petitioner that this matter is likely to be dragged on, without appointing an WPC No. 8797 OF 2008 2 enquiry officer, is premature because there is no reason to assume that the 2nd respondent will not appoint an enquiry officer within a reasonable time. The period of suspension is also a matter which is regulated by statutory provisions. Under the aforesaid circumstances, without expressing anything on merits, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing that the 3rd respondent shall appoint appropriate enquiry officer in accordance with law, at the earliest, and also ensure that if the petitioner is continuing under suspension, subsistence allowance and other reliefs in accordance with law shall be extended. There shall also be an earnest effort to dispose of the enquiry proceedings within a reasonable time. The Writ Petition is ordered accordingly. THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHANAN, JUDGE ttb WPC No. 8797 OF 2008 3