WP/5262/2026 of S.Rami Naidu Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh, on 23 February 2026

1. S.RAMI NAIDU, S DY.E.E. (RETIRED) MUNICIPAL ELEM PRADESH.

1. THE STATE OF A SECRETARY,

DEPARTMENT, 522238

2. THE ENGINEERIN OF ANDHRA PRAD

3. THE SUPERINTEN AND B, CIRCLE, SR Petition under Articl circumstances stated in pleased to issue an appr in the nature of writ of respondents in not con G.O.Rt.No.35 dated 23.0 B), dated 11.11.2023 iss

E HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRAD AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) E TWENTY FOURTH DAY OF FEBR O THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT NOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH IT PETITION NO: 5262 OF 2026 S/O VASUDEVA RAO, AGED 62 ), R/O D.NO. 3-1-24/5A, TUMMA ST MENTARY SCHOOL, SRIKAKULA AND ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY IT TRANSPORT, ROADS AND SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, A CHIEF ROADS AND BUILDINGS, G DESH, VIJAYAWADA, A.P. - 520001 NDING ENGINEER ROADS AND B RIKAKULAM DISTRICT. - 532001 ...RES le 226 of the Constitution of India pra the affidavit filed therewith, the High ropriate writ, order or direction more f Writ of Mandamus, declaring the ncluding the disciplinary proceeding 01.2016 and Memo No.TRB01-21/9/2 sued by the 1st respondent Govern DESH

UARY H YEARS, OCC TREET, NEAR AM, ANDHRA ...PETITIONER TS PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS AMARAVATI. - GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, R SPONDENT(S): aying that in the h Court may be particularly one e action of the gs issued vide 2018-VIG(R and ment even after the inquiry report dated 07.03.2022 as illegal, arbitrary, and violation of Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution and consequently set aside the same and further direct the respondents to release the retirement benefits due to the petitioner i.e., 1) Gratuity and 2) Encashment of Earned Leave along with 12percent interest and pass such IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to stay all further proceedings relating to the Charge Memo vide G.O.Rt.No.35 dated 23.01.2016 and Memo No.TRBOl-21/9/2018- VIG(R&B), dated 11.11.2023 issued by the 1st respondent Government, pending disposal of this writ petition and pass such IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to direct the respondents to release the retirement benefits due to the petitioner i.e., 1) Gratuity and 2) Encashment of Earned Leave along with 12% interest, pending disposal of this writ petition and pass such Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. MANOJ KUMAR BETHAPUDI Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR SERVICES II The Court made the following Order :

The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the action of the Respondents in not concluding the disciplinary proceedings issued vide G.O.Rt.No.35, dated 23.01.2016 and Memo No. TRB01-21/9/2018-vig (R&B), dated 11.11.2023 issued by the Respondent No.1 even after the inquiry report dated 07.03.2022 as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the Respondents to release the retirement benefits to the Petitioner.

2. The facts leading for filing the Writ Petition are as follows:- The Petitioner was initially appointed as Assistant Executive Engineer in Roads and Buildings Department in the year 1990 and he was promoted as Deputy Executive Engineer in the year 2011. On 31.05.2025, the Petitioner was retired from service as Deputy Executive Engineer. While so, the Vigilance and Enforcement Department conducted an inspection and making certain technical observations with regard to thickness of the crust in C.C Road was not on par with the sanctioned specifications. Based on the report dated 03.10.2015, the Respondent No.1 initiated common disciplinary proceedings on 10 officers involved in those works. Among them, six charged officers were retired; two charged officers were expired and four charged officers were holding the office. The Articles of charges were dropped on the officers, who had expired, initiating the disciplinary proceedings against the remaining charged officers. Pursuant to the common disciplinary proceedings, Articles of Charges were framed against the Petitioner after three months vide G.O.Rt.No.35, dated 23.01.2016 for the allegations relating to the year 2011- 2012. The Petitioner had submitted a detailed explanation on 25.05.2016. The Inquiring Authority conducted inquiry and submitted a report dated 07.03.2022 stating that the charge against the Petitioner was held as “not proved”. Despite categorical findings, the Disciplinary Authority issued a disagreement note vide Memo dated 11.11.2023 based on a report and opinion of the Chief Technical Engineer. The Petitioner had submitted an explanation on

04.03.2024, but even after lapse of two years, the Respondents did not take steps to conclude the proceedings. Hence, the instant Writ Petition.

3. Heard Mr. M. Vijay Kumar, learned Senior Counsel, representing Mr. Manoj Kumar Bethapudi, learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-II for the Respondents.

4. During hearing, learned Senior Counsel for the Petitioner has brought to the notice of this Court that the incident was happened in the year 2011 and the completion of the work in the year 2012; Report of the Technical Committee in the year 2013; Charges were framed in the year 2016; appointing Inquiry Officer in the year 2020 and filed Inquiry Report in the year 2022. Despite long lapse of several years, the Respondents have not concluded the disciplinary proceedings, though the Petitioner was retired from service. By virtue of pendency of disciplinary proceedings, the Respondents did not release the retirement and other benefits to the Petitioner.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader, Services-II for the Respondents, on instructions submitted by the Engineer-in-Chief (R&B), Administration, would contend that after examination of disagreement, vide Endorsement, dated 0.01.2024, the Government has observed some lapses and communicated the same, vide Memo, dated 12.09.2025 and requested the Engineer-in Chief (R&B) Administration to examine and furnish his remarks to the Government along with the specific recommendations. After submitting remarks, the Government would take appropriate action in the matter.

6. On perusal of the written instructions, it is found that there is no mention about the reason for causing delay in concluding the disciplinary proceedings. Considering the submissions made, this Court opined that even after lapse of a decade, the Respondents did not conclude the disciplinary proceedings is quite contrary to the instructions in Clause 5(ix) issued vide G.O.Ms.No.

General Administration (SER.C) Department, dated 12.09.2022, which reads as follows:-

“ix. Government direct that in all simple cases the inquiry initiated against Government Servant shall be completed within three months either by Departmental Officers or Commissioner of Inquiries. In complicated cases, it shall be ensured that the inquiry should be completed within five to six months. The Secretaries to Government shall review the progress of the inquiries ordered in all disciplinary cases and submit a note on the cases pending beyond the stipulated time to Chief Secretary to Government and also the Chief Minster.”

7. Whereas in the instant case, it is very clear that even after four (04) years of final report, the Respondents did not conclude the disciplinary proceedings. In that view this Court without touching the merits of the case, considering the submissions made by counsel on both sides, inclined to dispose of the Writ Petition, while directing the Respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings within a period of two (02) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

8. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

__________________ JUSTICE D.RAMESH Date: 24.02.2026 KK