WP(C) 4977/2007 WP(C)BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B K SHARMA These writ petitions were filed when there was fraudulent withdrawal of the GPF amounts of the petitioners. The matter relating to such defalcation of the GPF a mount is an admitted position. The official respondents have identified the pers ons responsible for such defalcation and action has also been taken as is reflec ted in various orders passed in this proceeding. The matter has been monitored b y this Court and it was on such monitoring, the petitioners have received back t heir GPF amounts along with interest and the amounts have been deposited to thei r GPF accounts. As regards the issue relating to departmental action against the persons /officials responsible for such defalcation, this Court has passed several order s in this proceeding for appropriate action in the matter. Although, the respond ents have filed number of affidavits, the Court being not satisfied with their s tand issued time to time direction for appropriate action in the matter. Details of the same are available in the orders passed in this proceeding. The Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Education (Ele mentary) Department has filed an affidavit on 30.07.2010 indicating action taken against the particular erring official. The affidavit further indicates that an other official purportedly involved in the matter was proceeded with the departm ental inquiry and the said inquiry is now complete with the report furnished by the Inquiry Officer and the final order is in the process to be passed. Further, the particular Officer, who was the Deputy Inspector of Schools, has also been proceeded with in a departmental inquiry and has also been placed under suspensi on. Learned counsel for the parties submits that since they have received ba ck the defalcated amount along with the interest, they do not have any further g rievance. As regards the action to be taken against the erring officials, the re spondents have disclosed the action taken and the status thereof in their affida vits filed from time to time and finally, in the affidavit dated 30.07.2010. It is expected that the official respondents will bear in mind the serio usness of the matter in which, the Government officials and some other persons a re involved in defalcation of GPF amounts of the petitioners. Merely because the amounts have been deposited the matter does not come to an end. The authority m ust find out as to who are the officials responsible for the misconduct and appr opriate punishment should be awarded which will act as a deterrence in respect o f such illegal action/misconduct. Exemplary punishment should also be awarded to the persons involved in the issue. With the above expectations, the writ petitions are disposed of. If any failure on the part of the official respondents to take appropriate action again st the erring officials is reported to this Court, appropriate action will follo w. Needless to say, the directions contained in this order shall be in respect o f the officials/employees/persons found guilty in respect of the defalcation of the amount. Let a copy of this order be furnished to Mr. S K Das, learned Standing C ounsel, Education Department, Assam for his necessary follow up action.