ORDER

1. Leave granted.

2. We have heard counsel for the parties.

3. This special leave petition has been preferred against the judgment and order dated 18-7-2003 of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur, Bench at Gwalior in Writ Petition No. 1262 of 2000. The High Court by its impugned judgment and order set aside the order passed by the Madhya Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, Gwalior Bench in Original Application No. 1628 of 1999.

4. In sum and substance, the High Court has held that the disciplinary authority could not proceed with the proceeding after lapse of period granted to it by the Tribunal. That period having expired on 15-5-1999, the disciplinary authority could not proceed further with the inquiry.

5. We had issued notice in the matter limited to the question as to whether the inquiry may not be resumed afresh from the stage the time allowed by the Tribunal for the conclusion of the inquiry had expired.

6. We have heard counsel for the parties and we are of the view that it is only fair to set aside the order of the High Court and remit the matter to the inquiry officer to resume the disciplinary proceeding from the stage reached on 15-5-1999. All proceedings take