IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDRA MOHAN MONDAY, THE 19TH SEPTEMBER 2011 / 28TH BHADRA 1933 WP(C).No. 23893 of 2011(J) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------------- ABDUL SAMAD K.P, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O.MUHAMMED,DEPUTY RANGE OFFICER (UNDER SUSPENSION),VANNANTHURA FOREST STATION, MARAYOOR, MUNNAR IDUKKI DISTRICT,RESIDING AT KALLIKKOOTTEM PURAYIL,PADANILAM POST, KUNNMANGALAM,KOZHIKODE DISTRICT. BY ADVS. SRI.SANTHOSH MATHEW SRI.SATHISH NINAN SRI.ARUN THOMAS SRI.JENNIS STEPHEN RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF FOREST,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (ADMINISTRATION),FOREST HEADQUARTERS, VAZHUTHACAUD,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, MARAYOOR, IDUKKI DISTRICT. 4. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (TRDM) FOREST HEADQUARTERS,VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.SMITHA SUKUMARAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19/09/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WP(C).No. 23893 of 2011(J) ----------------------------------------- APPENDIX --------------- PTITIONER'S EXHIBITS --------------------------------- EXT.P1. COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN THE MATHRUBHUMI NEWSPAPER. EXT.P2. COPY OF THE ORDER NO.B8-22105/09 DATED 11.8.2009 ISSUED BY THE SECOND RESPNDENT. EXT.P3. COPY OF THE CHARGE SHEET AND CHARGE MEMO DATED 13.9.2010 WAS ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT. EXT.P4. COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 21.9.2010 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER TO EXT.P3 CHARGE MEMO. EXT.P5. COPY OF THE ORDER N.B8-22105/09 DATED14.6.2011 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS : NIL --------------------------------------- / TRUE COPY / P.A. TO JUDGE VK K.SURENDRA MOHAN, J. ------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.23893 of 2011 ------------------------------------------- Dated this the 19th September, 2011 JUDGMENT The petitioner, while working as Deputy Forest Ranger at Palappetty Camp Office in Marayur Sandal Division, was placed under suspension as per Ext.P2 proceedings of the second respondent. The petitioner complains that though more than two years have elapsed since then, the disciplinary proceedings against him have not been completed. Consequently, he is still languishing under suspension with no prospect of the proceedings against him being completed in the near future. The petitioner, therefore, seeks appropriate directions for completion of the disciplinary action against him, without delay. 2. The learned Government Pleader submits that the charges against the petitioner are grave and that Crime No.196 of 2009 of Vellathooval Police Station has been registered arraying the petitioner also as an accused. The crime relates to the theft of 131 kgs. of sandal wood. Wpc no.23893/2011 2 Since the said proceedings are also pending, it is submitted that at least six month's time is necessary for the completion of the disciplinary proceedings. 3. The grievance of the petitioner is certainly justified and disciplinary proceedings cannot be left to prolong indefinitely, without any progress. The graver the charges are, the more is the promptitude that is required in completing the proceedings. However, in the present case, since the criminal proceedings are also said to be pending, some time can be granted to the authorities to complete the disciplinary proceedings. 4. In the above circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of directing the second respondent to complete the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The petitioner shall produce a copy of this judgment before the second respondent, for compliance. sd/- K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JUDGE css/ true copy P.S.TO JUDGE