DHARMVEER SINGH DHRUW Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The grievance of the petitioner in the present writ petition is prolong suspension which the petitioner is facing.

(2.) According to counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner working on the post of Drug Inspector was placed under suspension contemplating departmental proceeding vide order dtd. 4/3/2020. Though more than 15 months time has passed since the petitioner has been placed under suspension, the departmental enquiry initiated against the petitioner is progressing at a very slow pace inasmuch as till now only one witness has been examined. According to the petitioner, in the light of judgment of Supreme Court in case of Ajay Kumar Choudhary Vs. Union of India through its Secretary and Another, 2015 (7)SCC 291 the respondent authorities, after a period of 90 days from initial date of suspension was required to reconsider and decide whether the suspension of the petitioner needs revocation or it should be continued.

(3.) Per contra, state counsel opposing the petition submits that the petitioner was served with a charge sheet on 27/2/2020 and perusal of the charges levelled against the petitioner would clearly reflect that the allegations against the petitioner are of serious nature. It is the further contention of the state counsel that after the charge sheet was issued for last about more than 1 and ½ years because of Covid-19 pandemic the departmental inquiry could not be progressed and that is the reason for the delay in conclusion of the departmental inquiry.