IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.T.RAVIKUMAR WEDNESDAY, THE 7TH APRIL 2010 / 17TH CHAITHRA 1932 WP(C).No. 6976 of 2010(V) -------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------------------ K.B. RAMESAN NAIR, FIRST GRADE OVERSEER, THODUPUZHA MUNICIPALITY, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI DISTRICT. BY SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN, SENIOR ADVOCATE, ADV. SRI.S.SUJIN, SMT.NITA.N.S. RESPONDENT(S): -------------------------- 1. THE CHIEF ENGINEER, LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, 3RD FLOOR, REVENUE COMPLEX, PUBLIC OFFICE COMPOUND, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DIRECTOR, URBAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. THE SECRETARY, THALASSERY MUNICIPALITY, THALASSERY. 5. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1 TO R3 & R5 BY GOVT. PLEADER MR.ANTONY MUKKATH. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/04/2010,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: rs. C.T. RAVIKUMAR, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P. (C) No. 6976 OF 2010 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 7th day of April, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner who is working as a 1st Grade Overseer is aggrieved by the undue delay in the matter of finalization of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him as per Ext.P1 dated 26.5.2005. According to the petitioner the delay in the matter of finalization of the said disciplinary proceedings is adversely affecting his promotional prospects. Pending the disciplinary proceedings many of his juniors were promoted, it is submitted. When the matter is taking up for admission, the petitioner confined his prayer to one for a direction to the respondents to complete the disciplinary proceedings within a specific period. Ext.P1 would reveal that the disciplinary action has been initiated against the petitioner as early as on 26.5.2005. If the petitioner had no contribution for the delay, there cannot be any justification for the delay occurred in the matter of finalization of the disciplinary proceedings. In the circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of WPC.6976 of 2010 : 2 : with a direction to the 3rd respondent to take appropriate steps to see that the entire disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner as per Ext.P1 is completed within a period of six months from today. Sd/- (C.T. RAVIKUMAR, JUDGE) jma //true copy// P.A to judge