R.Sevathan v. The State Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATE : 07.10.2020
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P. NOs.30621 to 30623 of 2013 and M.P.Nos.1, 1 & 1 of 2013 R.Sevathan .. Petitioner in WP.30621/2013 R.Moorthy .. Petitioner in WP.30622/2013 N.Ramasamy .. Petitioner in WP.30623/2013 - Vs - 1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep. By its Secretary of Government, Environment and forest Department, Secretariat, Fort. St. George, Chennai-9.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (Head of Forest Force) Panagal Building, Chennai -15.
..R1&R2 in all WPs 3.The District Forest Officer Harur Forest Division, Harur.
..R3 in WP.30621/13 4.The Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Vellore.
..R3 in WP.30622/13 5.The District Forest Officer, Erode Forest Division, Erode.
..R3 in WP.30623/13 Common Prayer:
Writ petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to pass appropriate order on the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner by invocation of Rule 9(A) of the Tamil Nadu civil (Disciplinary & Appeal) Rules on receipt of records from the 2nd and 3rd respondent within a time framed to be fixed by this Court.
IN all WPs.
For Petitioner : M/S.K.Gandhi Kumar For Respondents: Mr.S.Prabhu, AGP COMMON ORDER As the relief sought for in all the petitions are identical, they are disposed of by this common order.
2. The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners are involved in the Vachathi Forest raid case. Apart from this a criminal case was registered and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioners in the year 2013, however disciplinary proceedings are yet to be concluded inspite of a lapse of more than seven years. Hence the petitioner filed these writ petitions with the above said prayer.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that though very many grounds are raised, however, it would suffice if this Court issues a direction to the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings initiated u/r Rule 9-A and 17(c)(i)(1) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules against the respective petitioners, within a period stipulated by this Court.
4. Learned Addl. Government Pleader appearing for the respondents fairly conceded that the disciplinary proceedings is yet to be concluded, however, submitted that the disciplinary proceedings will be concluded within the time frame stipulated by this Court.
5. In view of the fair stand taken by the learned Addl. Government Pleader, this Court, without going into the merits of the contentions, directs the respondents to complete the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners initiated under the relevant rules, in accordance with law within, a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 6.With the above direction, these writ petitions are disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS ) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar
To 1.The Secretary of Government, Environment and forest Department, Secretariat, Fort. St. George, Chennai-9.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (Head of Forest Force) Panagal Building, Chennai -15.
3.The District Forest Officer Harur Forest Division, Harur.
4.The Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Vellore.
5.The District Forest Officer, Erode Forest Division, Erode.
+1 cc to Spl.Government Pleader (Forest), SR.33129. Nmi(co) krd 28/10 W.P. NOs.30621 to 30623 of 2013 and M.P.Nos.1, 1 & 1 of 2013