R K AJMANI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Having regard to the nature of issue raised before us it is not necessary to take note of the facts in detail, suffice is to state that the petitioner was served with the charge-sheet dated 7.7.2004 and inquiry initiated against him on the basis of said charge-sheet by appointing Inquiry Officer and Presenting Officer. On the ground that charge leveled in the said charge-sheet was more than 15 years old, the petitioner filed O.A.No.1531/2005 for quashing of the charge-sheet and protection of his service rights including promotion. This OA was disposed of vide orders dated 7.11.2005 by the Tribunal. Charge-sheet was not quashed but the respondents were given two months time to complete the inquiry failing which it was directed that the proceedings would abate. The petitioner even filed Revision Petition which was dismissed.

(2.) The inquiry could not be completed within two months and the respondents filed M.A.No.133/2006 seeking extension of further four months time to complete the inquiry. Vide orders dated 21.2.2006 three months extension was granted to complete the proceedings and the Department was directed to hold the proceedings on day-to-day basis without fail. The petitioner sought review of this order as well which review application was dismissed. Aggrieved against this, the petitioner approached this Court and filed the writ petition which was disposed of vide orders dated 24.3.2006 observing as under:

(3.) The inquiry could not be completed even within the aforesaid extended time. The respondents again moved M.A.No.992/2006 on 31.5.2006 seeking further extension of one month s time. This application came up for hearing on 12.7.2006 and was adjourned to 1.8.2006. In the meantime orders dated 18.7.2006 were passed by the Department imposing the penalty of censure upon the petitioner. On 1.8.2006 the M.A. filed by the respondents for further extension of time, taken up for hearing and taking note of the fact that the Disciplinary Authority had already passed orders dated 18.7.2006, extension of time up to the last date was granted. The operative portion of this order reads as under: