HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY Writ Petition No.5929 of 2010 Date: March 25, 2010 Between: S. Premananda Reddy, S/o. SVR Narasimha Reddy, aged about 54 years, Central Power Distribution Co. of A.P., Ltd., Mulugu, Medak District … Petitioner And The Central Power Distribution Co. of A.P. Ltd., represented by its Chairman and Managing Director, Mint Compound, Hyderabad, and another … Respondents Order: The petitioner, an Additional Assistant Engineer in Central Power Distribution Co. of A.P., Ltd., who is placed under suspension by order dated 17-06-2004, issued in Memo No.DS (Per)/AS(Per)/PO(DC)/1108-C4/2004-1, seeks a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in continuing him under suspension for nearly about six years as illegal and consequential direction to the respondents to revoke his suspension. 2. On the ground that the petitioner was caught, while he was accepting bribe of Rs.3,500/-, by the Director General/Anti Corruption Bureau on 14-06-2004, a case was registered against him in Crime No.Ref.No.11/ACB/NZB/2004, for the alleged offence under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Based on such registration of crime, he was placed under suspension, by the second respondent, Chief General Manager (HRD) of the respondent-company, by order dated 17-06-2004. 3. In this writ petition, it is the grievance of the petitioner that though charge sheet is filed pursuant to registration of crime, so far, trial is not commenced and the same is being adjourned at the instance of the complainant. It is stated that in spite of the fact that a final report is already filed after completion of investigation in the departmental enquiry, respondents are continuing the petitioner under suspension, without considering review. 4. During the course of arguments, learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents has placed before this court a copy of order issued by the Chairman and Managing Director in C.O.O. (CGM/HRD) Ms.No.306, dated 16-09-2009. By the said order, a committee was constituted to review suspension cases which have been pending for more than two years. The Chief General Manager (HRD)/APCPDCL is made Convenor of the committee constituted for the said purpose. According to the terms of the order dated 16-09-2009, the committee shall meet every six months and review the cases of employees under suspension and submit its recommendations to the Chairman and Managing Director, APCPDCL. 5. It is to be noted that the petitioner was placed under suspension nearly about six years back. It is stated that in view of the Regulations, the petitioner is being paid an amount equivalent to 75% of salary, towards subsistence allowance. It appears that final report is also filed after investigation into the crime registered against the petitioner by the Anti Corruption Bureau. In that view of the matter, respondents ought to have considered whether the petitioner is to be further continued under suspension or not. Moreover, when the respondent- company itself constituted a committee to review such cases, there is no reason for not referring the case of the petitioner to the committee so constituted, so as to seek its recommendations for continuation or otherwise of the suspension of the petitioner. 6. As much as it is stated that the case of the petitioner is not considered, I direct the respondents to refer the case of the petitioner to the committee constituted vide order dated 16-09-2009, which shall consider the case of the petitioner in its next meeting as to whether he petitioner should be continued under suspension or not, and send its recommendations to the respondents. On receipt of such recommendations from the said committee, the first respondent-Chairman and Managing Director, A.P. Central Power Distribution Co. Ltd., shall pass appropriate orders, as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within six weeks from the date of receiving recommendations from the committee. 7. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No order as to costs. ___________________ R. SUBHASH REDDY, J March 25, 2010 Note: Communicate a copy of this order to the Chief General Manager, APCPDCL, Hyderabad. Furnish C.C. in three days B.O. MRR