JUDGMENT

Dr. B.R. Sarangi, J. - The petitioner, who retired on attaining the age of superannuation as Registrar, Biju Patnaik State Police Academy, Bhubaneswar, has filed this writ petition seeking to quash the disciplinary proceeding initiated against him, pursuant to the charge framed on 13.09.2005 vide Annexure-1 series, on the ground of inordinate delay in its completion.

2. The factual matrix of the case, in brief, is that while the petitioner was working as Inspector, D.H.R.P. Cell, Cuttack, on 29.04.2004, his government quarter was searched on the strength of a search warrant by a team of officers in presence of official witnesses and the properties/documents found during search were seized. It is alleged that during the check period from 1999 to 29.04.2004 the petitioner had purchased certain properties, comprising of both movable and immovable, in his name and in the name of his family members without prior permission/intimation as required under Rule 21 of the Odisha Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1959 and, as such, he had not submitted any property statement, as required under the aforesaid rule. Thereby, he was called upon to show cause on 13.09.2005 by issuing charge,