JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. T.J. Mahanta, the learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. P.P. Dutta, the learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. D. Gogoi, the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Forest Department.

2. It is the case of the petitioner herein that on 3/8/2022 while the petitioner was posted at Lakhipur Range, Cachar Division, Silchar, the petitioner was arrested in connection with ACB P.S. Case No. 22/2022 under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on the alleged ground of demand of bribe. Subsequent thereto, on the basis of an order dated 9/9/2022, the Special Judge, Assam granted the petitioner bail. When the fact pertaining to the arrest of the petitioner came to the notice of the disciplinary authority, the petitioner vide a notification dated 20/9/2022 was put under suspension pending drawal of the disciplinary proceedings in exercise of the power under Rule 6(2) of the Assam Service(Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964( for short ‘the Rules of 1964). The petitioner thereupon on various occasions submitted representations for reinstatement. However, the respondent authorities continued to keep the petitioner under suspension. It is the case of