IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP. No. 22593 of 2010 Date of Decision: 10.1.2011. Pritam Singh --Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others --Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI. Present:- Mr. Bipin Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner. *** PERMOD KOHLI.J (ORAL) Notice of motion to respondents no.1 to 3 only. Mr. B.S. Chahal, D.A.G., Punjab has been asked to accept notice on behalf of respondents. Keeping in view the nature of relief claimed and with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, this petition is being disposed of at the motion stage itself without insisting for the reply. The petitioner while serving as District Welfare Officer, Ludhiana has been placed under suspension vide the impugned order dated 20.9.2010 (Annexure P-1). This order is under challenge in the present writ petition. It is alleged that the suspension has been on account of malafide of respondent no.4. It is further contended that no show cause notice was issued before issuance of the suspension order. The petitioner has attempted to argue that because the petitioner asked respondent no.4 to record his statement in regard to a complaint and it is because of that he threatened the petitioner and the impugned suspension order has been passed. CWP. No. 22593 of 2010 -2- It is settled law that suspension is not a punishment. The suspension order has been passed by the Govt., whereas respondent no.4 is only a Deputy Director in the Department of Welfare. There is no material on record to indicate that the govt. was influenced by respondent no.4 in any manner. In absence of any material on record the allegation of malafide cannot be examined. The petitioner was placed under suspension in September, 2010. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that till date no charge sheet has been served and no disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. In view of the above, this petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent no.2 to complete the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner, if, any initiated or to be initiated, within a period of six months, failing which the petitioner shall be entitled to be reinstated in service. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE 10.1.2011. lucky