A.Kabir, J. - (1.) The respondent No. 1 in the appeal was appointed as the principal of the Krishnanagar Women's College and her service was confirmed on 22nd December, 1990. On 24th March, 2000, she was served with a notice to show cause in respect of various allegations. The respondent No. 1 replied to the show cause notice on 7th April 2000, denying all the allegations contained therein. On 11th April, 2000, the Governing Body of the College decided to issue a charge sheet to the respondent No. 1 and placed her under suspension on the same day.
(2.) The order of suspension was challenged by the respondent No. 1 in a writ petition numbered A.S.T. No. 1562 of 2000 and on 16th May, 2000, the learned single Judge directed the respondent No. 1 herein to hand over the keys and other documents pertaining to the College to the Chairman of the Governing Body. The learned Judge also directed that the suspension order would be kept in abeyance, but granted liberty to the College authorities to take necessary steps after giving the said respondent a hearing in accordance with law and till such time the said respondent was to be treated as on leave.
(3.) The aforesaid order of the learned single Judge was challenged in appeal by the respondent No. 1 herein being M.A.T. No. 1824 of 2000. On 19th June 2000, on consent of the parties the writ petition was taken up for hearing and disposed by the Appeal Court. After considering the relevant provisions of the West Bengal College Teachers (Security of Service) Act, 1975, the Division Bench held that the order of suspension was valid and dismissed the writ petition. A direction was given to expedite the disciplinary proceedings and to conclude the same within three months from the date of the communication of the order.;