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Judgment
Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Chairman:
The applicant is working as Deputy Commercial Manager (DCM) in the Northern Railway. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him by issuing a charge memo on 22.12.2018. As many as 10 articles of charges were incorporated therein. The applicant submitted his explanation and taking the same into account, the disciplinary authority appointed the Inquiry Officer. It is stated that though the Inquiry Officer submitted his report on 07.08.2020, the disciplinary authority directed fresh inquiry. The applicant states that the fresh inquiry has also been concluded in December, 2020. His grievance is that, the respondents have not concluded the proceedings and on account of the same, he is facing serious hardship. This OA is filed with a prayer to direct the respondents to conclude the proceedings within a time frame and to take further steps.
We heard Shri B.C. Nagar, learned counsel for applicant and Shri Krishna Kant Sharma, learned counsel for respondents, at the stage of admission.
The applicant was issued a charge memo way back on 22.02.2008. It is not necessary for us to take note of the articles of charges as such. The fact remains that the Inquiry Officer submitted his report on 07.08.2020, but the disciplinary authority has ordered further /fresh inquiry. According to the applicant, the inquiary so ordered was concluded on 30.12.2020. We are of view that the proceedings cannot be kept pending indefinitely.
We, therefore, dispose of the OA, directing the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the applicant through charge memo within four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
Pending MA No.251/2021 shall stand disposed of.
There shall be no orders as to costs.