T. ASHOK KUMAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA,

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner is Assistant Registrar of Fisheries, aspiring promotion to the post of Deputy Registrar of Fisheries. Vacancy in the higher post arose on 31/03/2010. Departmental Promotion Committee was convened on 29/03/2010. Complaining that though his case was considered, for no valid reason his junior is going to be promoted, this writ petition was filed.

(2.) ON behalf of the 1st respondent a statement has been filed. It is stated that though the name of the petitioner along with three others were considered by the DPC, it was decided not to recommend the name of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Deputy Registrar of Fisheries on the ground that the Deputy Director of Fisheries, Kozhikkode vide Annexure R1(a) letter reported that disciplinary proceedings are initiated against the petitioner on allegation of financial irregularities. It is stated that the proceedings are pending and it is because of the pendency of the proceedings, his junior Smt. K.K. Sulochana was considered and recommended for promotion.

(3.) AT the same time, disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner, which was the reason stated for the petitioner's supersession, also has to be finalised. Going by the statement, as memo of charges was served on the petitioner on 15/01/2008, necessarily, the proceedings has to be expedited. Taking into account the submission made by the learned Counsel for the petitioner that his explanation to the memo of charges has already been filed, it is directed that the 4th respondent shall take steps for expeditious completion of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner and that the same shall be concluded, at any rate, within three months of production of a copy of this judgment.