THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY W.P.No.26135 of 2010 ORDER The petitioner retired from the service of the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited, the second respondent herein, on 31.07.2006 on attaining the age of superannuation. Earlier to that, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him and they were continuing till 15.09.2008, on that date, the Superintending Engineer, Operations, the 4th respondent herein, passed an order exonerating the petitioner from the charges and dropping the proceedings. The grievance of the petitioner is that even after the order, dated 15.09.2008, the respondents have not released his retirement benefits. The matter was listed for admission on 22.10.2010. On 25.10.2010, an interim order was passed directing the respondents that in case, no disciplinary proceedings are initiated against the petitioner, they shall consider the feasibility of releasing his retirement benefits. It is stated that no action has been taken thereon. It is not in dispute that the competent authority i.e., the 4th respondent, passed an order, dated 15.09.2008, dropping the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner. Whatever may have been justification for not releasing the retirement benefits till two years after the petitioner retired from service, there cannot be any justification for the respondents in withholding the same even after passing of the order, dated 15.09.2008. It is not even stated that any subsequent proceedings are initiated against the petitioner. Hence, the Writ Petition is allowed, and the respondents are directed to release the retirement benefits to the petitioner, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Such release, however, shall be without prejudice to the rights of the respondents to initiate proceedings, if they are otherwise permissible in law. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J Date:13.12.2010 Note: Issue CC within one week. (Bo) sj