THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No. 7176 OF 2011 O R D E R: The writ petitioner, while working as a Field Assistant of Manthani Village, Nagarkurnool Mandal, Mahabubnagar District, has been suspended by the Project Director on 16.12.2010 on an allegation that he has misappropriated an amount of Rs.3,15,924/- by creating benami musters, thus, has come out in the 2nd round of social audit undertaken for Nagarkurnool Mandal. The writ petitioner appears to have submitted a representation on 27.01.2011 to the Project Director, which has not been examined so far and no further steps are taken. Learned counsel for the writ petitioner submits that without conducting any enquiry into the matter, the respondents have proceeded unilaterally by suspending the writ petitioner on mere allegations. He has also not been issued any notice prior thereto. Both the contentions canvassed by the learned counsel for the writ petitioner are devoid of merit. Right to appointment partakes with it the right to terminate. Right of termination also comprises the right to suspend an employee from work. Suspension from working is not the same as termination from employment. Suspension is resorted to by the competent authority to prevent access to the records to such an employee. It would also help easy collection of evidence against him. Further he will not be able to influence the witnesses, who are likely to speak against him. Therefore, placing an employee under suspension is only a step-in-aid in conducting disciplinary proceedings against him/her. Hence, it does not require a notice to be issued to such an employee. If a notice is to be issued, the very purpose or necessity to keep the employee under suspension can be frustrated by him. Therefore, in such preliminary steps, question of applicability of principles of natural justice would not arise. However, the writ petitioner appears to have filed a representation denying his culpability as of 27.01.2011. Two months period has already lapsed. It is therefore, appropriate that the respondents should finalize the disciplinary proceedings against the writ petitioner within the next two months and pass appropriate orders and communicate the same to him. With this, the Writ petition stands disposed of at the admission stage. No costs. ---------------------------------- (NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J) 21st March 2011 ksld