JUDGMENT

These writ petitions have been filed by the petitioners seeking a writ of certiorarified mandamus to quash the suspension order dated 25.2.2020 and its subsequent extension orders dated 23.5.2020 and 22.8.2020, respectively, and to direct the respondent authorities to reinstate the petitioners to their former posts.

2. Since the suspension orders impugned and the grounds for challenge are one and the same, both the writ petitions are disposed of by this common order, albeit they have been reserved on 27.10.2021 and 28.10.2021, respectively.

3. The case of the petitioner in W.P.No.688 of 2021 is that while he was working as Deputy Director Tribal Affairs & Hills, he was placed under suspension on 25.2.2020 and subsequently on 23.5.2020, the suspension was extended for three months with effect from 25.5.2020 and, again, on 22.8.2020 the said order of suspension was extended for three months. Such extension expired in the month of November, 2020. According to the petitioner, if further extension is required, it should be made before expiry of the extension that is before the month of November, 2020. Since the extension was not made before the expiry of the earlier extended perio