IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN FRIDAY, THE 21ST NOVEMBER 2008 / 30TH KARTHIKA 1930 WP(C).No. 17181 of 2008(U) ------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ----------------------- P.M.SUBRAMANIAN, (RETIRED FORESTER) SOCIAL FORESTRY RANGE, MANNARKKAD, PAVUTTY MANA, KOONATHARA P.O., VIA SHORANUR PIN 679 523. BY ADV. SRI.S.P.ARAVINDAKSHAN PILLAY SMT.N.SANTHA SRI.S.A.ANAND RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------- 1. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS FOREST HEADQUARTERS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PIN 695 014. 2. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION) FOREST HEADQUARTERS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PIN 695 014. 3. ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS SOCIAL FORESTRY RANGE MANNARGHAT, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN 678 582. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.P.NANDAKUMAR FOR R1 TO 3 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 21/11/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) NO.17181/2008 APPENDIX PETITIONERS EXHIBITS P1:- COPY OF THE ORDER NO.B7-5721/05 DT. 23.4.05 OF THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION). P2:- COPY OF THE ORDER NO.B7/5721/05 DT. 14.12.05 OF THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION). P3:- COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION) DT. 24.1.07. P4:- COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE ADDL.PRINCIPAL VHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION) DT. 17.1.08. P5:- COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION), DT. 13.2.08. P6:- COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (ADMINISTRATION) DT. 10.3.2008. /TRUE COPY/ P.S. TO JUDGE tss P.N.Ravindran, J. ===================== W.P(C).No.17181 of 2008 ===================== Dated this the 21st day of November, 2008. JUDGMENT The petitioner is a pensioner. He retired from service on 28.2.2007 on attaining the age of superannuation. While the petitioner was in service, he along with two others was placed under suspension by Ext.P1 order dated 23.4.2005. Later, by Ext.P2 order dated 14.12.2005, he was reinstated in service. Disciplinary proceedings in relation to the allegation, based on which the petitioner was placed under suspension has not so far been finalised. The petitioner submits that on account of the delay on the part of the respondents in finalising the disciplinary proceedings, the death cum retirement gratuity sanctioned to him has not so far been disbursed. 2. Though the petitioner had also claimed amounts payable under the State Life Insurance, the Group Insurance Scheme and the Family Benefits Scheme, the said amounts were disbursed pursuant to the interim orders passed by this Court. When the Writ Petition came up for hearing today, Sri.S.P.Aravindakshan Pillay, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Writ Petition may be disposed of with a direction to finalilse the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner expeditiously. The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that steps in that regard will be taken and WP(C) 17181/08 -: 2 :- completed within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. 3. Recording the said submission, I dispose of the Writ Petition with a direction to the competent authority among the respondents to finalise the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner after affording the petitioner a reasonable opportunity to state his case. The respondents shall take prompt steps to ensure that the terminal benefits so far withheld shall be disbursed expeditiously and in any event within two months from the date of finalisation of the disciplinary proceedings subject to the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings. P.N.Ravindran, Judge. ess 24/11