IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI MONDAY, THE 7TH JANUARY 2008 / 17TH POUSHA 1929 WP(C).No. 37715 of 2007(M) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ T.GOPALAN,RETIRED INSPECTING ASSISTANT, COMMISSIONER,RESIDING AT SREERAGAM,PALLIKKARA, KASARGODE. BY ADV. SRI.P.SREEKUMAR SRI.K.S.MANU (PUNUKKONNOOR) RESPONDENT: ------------- COMMISSIONER OF COMMERCIAL TAXES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. MATHEW GEORGE VADAKKAL THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J ------------------- W.P.(C).37715/2007 -------------------- Dated this the 7th day of January, 2008 JUDGMENT Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioner while he was in service, as evidenced by Ext.P1 dated 2.9.2003. The allegation is that the petitioner has failed to supervise the issue of transit pass by the Sales tax Inspectors under his control in relation to two loads of pepper valued at Rs.1,75,131/- and thereby failed to protect the interest of revenue. Ext.P2 reply was submitted by the petitioner on 20.10.2003. By Ext.P3, an enquiry was ordered under Rule 15(2)(b) of the KCS (CC & A) Rules, 1960, requiring report to be submitted within three months. Ext.P3 also shows that four other officers who were assigned the task of conducting an enquiry, apparently did not do so for personal reasons. In spite of a lapse of more than an year since Ext.P2, proceedings have not been completed so far. In the meanwhile, petitioner retired on 31.5.2006. 2. After having heard the learned Government Pleader also, writ petition is disposed of directing the first W.P.(C).37715/2007 2 respondent to take appropriate steps to see that the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner as per Ext.P1 is completed at the earliest (in so far as it is permissible on account of the retirement of the petitioner) and final orders shall be passed in relation to Ext.P1 within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. DCRG due to the petitioner shall be disbursed within one month thereafter. Respondent shall also ensure that NLC/LC in relation to the petitioner is issued during such time. V.GIRI, Judge mrcs