Madras High CourtWP/120/2023disposed of

B.Bubala Singam v. The Principal Secretary To The Government

2023-01-05Honourable Mr Justice Abdul Quddhose4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 05.01.2022

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE B.Bubala Singam ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Government of Tamilnadu, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director General, Highways Department, Chennai - 600 025.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 13.12.2022 and complete the disciplinary action initiated against the petitioner pursuant to the charge memo issued by the first respondent in Letter No.5629/HR2/2022-7 dated 17.10.2022. For Petitioner :

Mr.P.Manoj Kumar For Respondents :

Ms.P.Vijaya Devi Government Advocate 1/4

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for a mandamus seeking for a direction to the first respondent to complete the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner, pursuant to a charge memo dated 17.10.2022 issued to him, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that he was suspended from service on 07.04.2022 and thereafter, a charge memo was issued to him on 17.10.2022. He seeks for early completion of the disciplinary proceedings. The petitioner has also submitted an explanation to the charge memo dated 17.10.2022 on 23.11.2022.

3. No prejudice would be caused to the respondents, if a direction, as sought for by the petitioner in this Writ Petition, is granted.

4. This Court is of the considered view that six months time will suffice for the respondents to complete the disciplinary proceedings. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing the respondents to appoint an Enquiry Officer and complete the disciplinary proceedings 2/4

initiated against the petitioner, pursuant to the charge memo dated 17.10.2022 within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the aforementioned directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No Costs.

05.01.2022 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes / No ab To 1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Government of Tamilnadu, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director General, Highways Department, Chennai - 600 025.

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ABDUL QUDDHOSE. J., ab 05.01.2022 4/4