G.S.Singhvi, J.

1. Almost thirteen years ago the petitioner was removed from service vide order Annexure P2 dated 17.9.1982 passed by the Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Malerkotla in the purported exercise of powers Under Section 45(1) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 (for short, the Act). During all these years, it has not been possible for the Court to take up the case for hearing and without going to the reasons for the failure of the institution to hear the grievance of the petitioner for more than one decade. I cannot refrain from observing that unusual delay has caused immense injury to the petitioner. In such like matters, the petitioner as well as the respondents suffer for no fault of theirs. It is, therefore, high time that counsel for the parties and the Court make earnest endeavour to decide the pending cases at the earliest.

2. The petitioner who joined the service of the Municipal Committee, Malkerkotla as Safai Sewak in the year 1962 was confirmed on that post in the year 1975 only to be thrown out of the job vide Annexure P2. Respondent No. 2 paid him a sum of Rs. 482.80 ps. as wages for one months period. Section 45(1) of the Act which has been re