Polaki Lakshminarayana, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh,

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No. 8564 OF 2015 O R D E R:

The petitioner, who is working as a Field Assistant with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, has been placed under suspension pending inquiry, through the proceedings, dated 23.02.2015, which is challenged in this Writ Petition.

Serious allegations have been levelled against the petitioner bringing out the irregularities allegedly committed by him. Hence, for that reason, the petitioner has been placed under suspension. However, it should be remembered that placing an employee under suspension is not the end of it all. The inquiry shall be conducted and completed in quick time thereafter. Otherwise, the employee, who has been placed under suspension, will suffer grave and irreparable hardship.

Hence, instead of keeping the Writ Petition pending on the docket of this Court, it would be appropriate to direct the respondents to conduct the inquiry, duly following the procedure and adhering to the principles of natural justice, by providing a fair and reasonable opportunity to the petitioner to establish his defence, within a maximum period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and take appropriate action based upon the findings of the inquiry. With this, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the miscellaneous applications, if any shall also stand disposed of.