Court mandates timely consideration of regularization applications ensuring compliance with procedural fairness.

JUDGMENT

The above writ petition is filed with following prayers :

“i. To call for entire records leading to passing of Exhibit P7 notice issued by the 4^th respondent and set it aside by a writ of certiorari or any other writ, order or direction.

ii. To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ direction or order directing the 2^nd and 4^th respondents to consider Exhibit P8 application for regularization submitted by the petitioner within a time frame fixed by this Hon’ble Court after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. iii. To permit the petitioner to dispense with production of translations of the exhibits in vernacular language along with the Writ Petition.

iv. To pass any other order or directions this Hon’ble Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case .” [sic]

2. The petitioner is aggrieved by Ext.P7 order, which is issued in accordance with Sec.235W(1) of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act . According to the petitioner, the petitioner already filed Ext.P8 regularization application and in the meanwhile, the Panchayat is proceeding with Ext.P7 order.

3. Heard the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Panchayat and the Government Pleader also.

4. After hearing both sides, I think there can be a direction to consider Ext.P8 regularization application and till then, Ext.P7 can be set aside. I make it clear that the contention based on Ext.P7 raised by the petitioner in this writ petition is left open.

Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions :

1) The 4^th respondent is directed to forward Ext.P8 regularization application to the 2^nd respondent within one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment, if not already forwarded.

2) The 2^nd respondent will consider Ext.P8 and pass appropriate orders in it after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within three months from the date of receipt of Ext.P8.

3) Till final orders are passed by the 2^nd respondent as directed above, the further proceedings based on Ext.P7 shall be kept in abeyance.