IQBAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Annexure P-1 dated 6th September, 1991, is under challenge in this petition. The petitioner has approached this court for quashing of the charge-sheet as well as the order of appointment of an Enquiry Officer, Vide P-3.

(2.) The petitioner joined service as a Temporary Engineer on 30th November, 1959, he was appointed Sub Divisional Officer, PWD Irrigation Branch, on Ist March, 1960, he was promoted as an Executive Engineer on 20th December, 1972, and then Superintending Engineer on 13th January, 1988. In relation to his work as an Executive Engineer during 1977 to 1979, charge-sheet Annexure P-l has been served upon him and after filing of reply by him, the Government has appointed Enquiry Officer, vide Annexure P-3, dated 26th March, 1993.

(3.) The petitioner has challenged the enquiry proceedings on various grounds set out in the writ petition. However, it is not necessary to make a detailed reference of those grounds because in my opinion the writ petition deserves to be allowed on a short ground namely undue delay in the initiation of the enquiry.