A.K. Ganguly, C.J.

Heard the learned counsel for the parties. This appeal has been filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the District Forest Officer impugning an order of the learned Judge of the writ court dated 28. 2007, by which the learned Judge was pleased to allow the writ petition and quash the departmental proceeding initiated by the appellants against the respondent herein. The material facts of the case are that some charges were levelled against the writ petitioner, the respondent herein, in May, 1997 and a charge memo was issued on 20.11.1998. To that, the writ petitioner gave an explanation on 2. 1999. Thereafter, there was an enquiry. The Enquiry Officer filed his report on 30.5.2000 and the same was communicated to the writ petitioner on 18. 2000. The writ petitioner then made a representation on 19. 2000. But since then, the matter was kept pending with the authority and no final order was passed even when the writ petition was disposed of by the learned Judge of the writ court on 28. 2007. Therefore, for seven years, no final order was passed in respect of the aforesaid departmental enquiry.

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