IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI TUESDAY, THE 16TH OCTOBER 2007 / 24TH ASWINA 1929 WP(C).No. 30648 of 2007(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ C.SASIKUMAR, AGED 45 YEARS, S/O.K.CHAMY, FOREST RANGE OFFICER, FLYING SQUAD RANGE, KALPETTA. BY ADV. SRI.P.K.RAVISANKAR RESPONDENTS: ----------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FOREST AND WILD LIFE DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTION COMMITTEE, (HIGHER) FOR FOREST & WILD LIFE DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS CONVENOR, SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FOREST AND WILD LIFE DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (ADMINISTRATION), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.BEJOY CHANDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/10/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J. ------------------------- W.P.(C).No.30648 of 2007 W ------------------------- Dated this the 16th day of October, 2007. JUDGMENT The petitioner is working as a Forest Ranger in the Kerala Forest Subordinate Service. He aspires for promotion as Assistant Conservator. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against him, as evidenced by Ext.P2 in March, 2006, to which the petitioner gave a reply as per Ext.P3 dated 14.6.2006. His grievance is that he was not considered for promotion by the Departmental Promotion Committee, which was held in May, 2007 and that he is not likely to be considered by the next Departmental Promotion Committee. 2. After hearing learned counsel for the petitioner, the writ petition is disposed of directing the Chief Conservator of Forests, the 3rd respondent herein, to look into Ext.P3 objections and complete the proceedings initiated under Ext.P2 within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this W.P.(C).No.30648 of 2007 :: 2 :: judgment. It is made clear that, insofar as the pendency of the departmental proceedings is concerned, the same by itself should not be treated as a bar against the petitioner being considered by the Departmental Promotion Committee, which will be convened in future for the purpose of promotion to the post of Assistant Conservator. If the departmental proceedings are not completed, the petitioner’s eligibility shall be considered in the Departmental Promotion Committee and the results can be kept separately in sealed cover. Subject this observation, the writ petition is disposed of. Sd/- (V.GIRI) JUDGE sk/ //true copy// P.S. To Judge