1 2025:CGHC:18815 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 2834 of 2025 1 - Ram Murat Kaushik S/o Shri M.L. Kaushik Aged About 55 Years R/o Village Dhandhan, Post- Dhandhan, Tahsil - Takhatpur, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary, Department Of School Education, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, New Raipur, District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Joint Director, Division- Bilaspur, Department Of School Education, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 3 - District Education Officer, Bilaspur, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 4 - Block Development Officer Takhatpur, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 5 - Collector, Bilaspur, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh 6 - Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Takhatpur, Bilaspur, District- Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Respondent(s) (Cause title taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Ravi Kumar Bhagat, Advocate For State : Mr. Kanwaljeet Singh Saini, PL (HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE BIBHU DATTA GURU) Order on Board 25/04/2025 1. Petitioner, who is a Teacher has preferred this writ petition challenging RAHUL JHA Digitally signed by RAHUL JHA Date: 2025.04.26 12:14:03 +0530 2 the order dated 26/10/2024 (Annexure P/2) by which he has been suspended in exercise of powers under Rule 9 (1) of the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1966 (for short 'CCA. Rules, 1966). 2. When confronted with the fact that the petitioner has an alternative remedy of preferring an appeal under Rule 23 of the CCA Rules, 1996 learned counsel would submit that since in the impugned order there is no mention that a departmental enquiry is contemplated against the petitioner, the very foundation for exercising powers under Rule 9 of the CCA Rules, 1996 is not available, therefore, there being an error jurisdiction, in view of law laid down by this Court in the matter of 'V. K. Kesharwani Vs. State of Chhattisgarh and another' in W.P. No. 2918 of 2006, the petitioner has approached this Court invoking extra ordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. 3. In the matter of V. K. Kesharwani (supra) this Court has clearly observed that before exercising powers under Rule 9 of the CCA Rules, 1996 it is necessary for the authority to record that either disciplinary proceeding is contemplated or pending for the misconduct or a criminal case is pending, meaning thereby that in the absence of such satisfaction, exercise of power under Rule 9 of the CCA Rules, 1996 is vitiated. 4. Having considered the submission and more particularly the order passed by this Court in the matter of V. K. Kesharwan/ (supra), this writ petition is disposed of with observation / direction that in the event the petitioner prefers an appeal before the appellate authority within a period 3 of 15 days from today, along with an application for grant of interim relief/stay, the appellate authority shall deal with the appeal as also prayer for grant of interim relief and decide the same by speaking order as early as possible and preferably within a period of three months from the date of presentation of appeal. 5. Till the prayer for interim relief is considered and disposed of by appellate authority, the effect and operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed during pendency of prayer for interim relief. Sd/- Sd/- (BIBHU DATTA GURU) JUDGE Rahul