BHUPESH CHANDRA DAS Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. K N Choudhury, learned Senior counsel assisted by Mr. D J Das, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. T C Chutia, learned Additional Senior Government Advocate, Assam for the State respondents.

(2.) The petitioner has assailed the order dtd. 6/2/2025 whereby the respondent State has appointed a new enquiry officer in connection with the show cause notice dtd. 9/2/2018 issued against the petitioner, thereby seeking to continue the departmental proceedings, notwithstanding that the petitioner has already been acquitted in the corresponding criminal case arising from the same incident and despite earlier orders passed by this Court directing a time bound conclusion of the departmental proceedings.

(3.) It is not in dispute that earlier the petitioner had approached this Court in WP(C) No. 1053/2024 assailing the pendency of the departmental proceeding despite the conclusion of the criminal trial. Upon consideration of the materials, including comparison of the charge-sheet in the departmental proceeding and the criminal case and the list of witnesses, this Court, by judgment and order dtd. 29/10/2024 had directed the State respondents to conclude the departmental proceeding within a time frame of one month.