2025:JHHC:24718 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(S) No.4305 of 2025 ------ Mahendra Ram, S/o Late Sohrai Ram, R/o Sisai Road, Gumla, P.O. & P.S. Gumla, District Gumla, Jharkhand. … … Petitioner Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand, through the Secretary, Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand, Project Building, P.O. & P.S. Dhurwa, District Ranchi. 2. The Deputy Commissioner, Gumla, P.O. & P.S. Gumla, District Gumla. 3. The Block Development Officer, Palkot, P.O. & P.S. Palkot, District Gumla, Jharkhand. 4. The Block Development Officer, Basia, P.O. & P.S. Basia, District Gumla, Jharkhand. … … Respondents ------ CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Prem Pujari Roy, Advocate For the Respondent(s): Mr. Apoorva Singh, AC to SC (Mines)-II ------ 06/ 21.08.2025 Heard learned counsel representing the petitioner and learned counsel representing the respondents. 2. By filing this writ petition, the petitioner prays for quashing of order as contained in Memo No.367 (ii) / Estt., Gumla, dated 17.05.2019, whereby the petitioner has been inflicted with the punishment of stoppage of four annual increment with cumulative effect and payment of fine along with interest. 3. The petitioner’s case is that the petitioner has filed an Appeal again before the Deputy Commissioner, Gumla, who had passed the punishment order. 4. Learned counsel representing the petitioner contends that the petitioner has filed the Appeal before a wrong Forum and he intends to file an Appeal before the appropriate Forum. 5. Considering the aforesaid submission, I direct the 2025:JHHC:24718 2 petitioner to file an Appeal before the Appellate Authority as the Appellate Authority can very well assess the plea of the petitioner on facts also. 6. If the Appeal is filed before the Appellate Authority within four weeks from today, the same will be considered on merits without getting it disposed of on the ground of limitation. One opportunity of hearing should be given to the appellant before disposing the appeal. 7. It is expected that the Appellate Authority will try to dispose the Appeal as early as possible. 8. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. (ANANDA SEN, J.) Prashant. Cp-2