NEELAM DEWANGAN Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The grievance of the petitioner in the present writ petition is confined to the prolonged departmental enquiry pending against the petitioner.

(2.) The facts in the case in brief is that the petitioner was working under the respondents as District Women and Child Development Officer. On the charges of financial irregularities the petitioner was issued with a charge sheet on 23.09.2017 and subsequently the petitioner's service was placed under suspension vide order dated 22.07.2017. Later on, amended charge sheet was issued adding few more charges against the petitioner and meanwhile respondents also have appointed an Enquiry Officer and Presenting Officer to conduct and to present the departmental enquiry. It is almost four years now except for the issuance of the charge sheet no further substantial development has occurred in the departmental enquiry as has been contended by the petitioner. In view of the prolonged period that has transpired without departmental enquiry getting concluded the present writ petition has been filed. The limited prayer that petitioner has sought for is for appropriate direction to the respondents to conclude the departmental enquiry at the earliest within the stipulated period.

(3.) State counsel on the other hand opposing the petition submits that initially when the departmental enquiry was contemplated the petitioner was placed under suspension. However, realizing the aspect that the departmental enquiry is not getting concluded at the earliest, the respondents have themselves revoked the suspension order and petitioner has been taken back in service and as such petitioner should not have any grievance on the pendency of the departmental enquiry.