1 2026:CGHC:21574 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 3984 of 2026 Bhagirathi Baghel S/o Ratiram Baghel Aged About 60 Years Presently Working As Head Master (Middle School) At Govt. Middle School Lohandiguda Block- Lohandiguda District- Bastar (C.G.) ... Petitioner(s) versus 1. State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary Department Of School Education Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Nawa Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) 2. Director Directorate Of Public Instruction Idnrawati Bhawan Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 3. Secretary Chhattisgarh State Open School Raipur District- Raipur (C.G.) 4. Divisional Joint Director Education Division Bastar District- Bastar (C.G.) 5. District Education Officer Bastar District- Bastar (C.G.) 6 . Block Education Officer Lohandiguda District- Bastar (C.G.) ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Govind Prasad Dewangan, Advocate For Respondents/ State : Ms. Sakshi Bajpai, P.L. For Respondent No. 3 : Mr. Pankaj Agrawal, Advocate JYOTI SHARMA Digitally signed by JYOTI SHARMA Date: 2026.05.09 11:08:04 +0530 2 Hon’ble Shri Bibhu Datta Guru, Judge Order on Board 08/05/2026 Heard. 1. The present writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- “10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to call for the entire records in relates to the case of the petitioner from the possession of respondents for its kind perusal. 10.2 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for grant of annual increments after revocation of his suspension order dated 26.02.2024 and after joining his duty at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Lohandiguda, Block Lohandiguda, District Bastar on 30.05.2024 with consequential benefits. 10.3 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondents to conclude the Departmental Proceeding within a stipulated period as the Departmental Proceeding is pending for consideration since 16.10.2024, when the charge sheet was issued against the petitioner. 10.4 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to grant any other relief/relief's in favour of the petitioners, which the Hon'ble Court deemed fit & just in the facts and circumstances of the case, including awarding of the costs to the petitioner.” 3 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a departmental enquiry proceeding has been initiated against the petitioner by the School Education Department vide communication dated 16.10.2024, which is still pending consideration. It is further submitted that on account of the pendency of the said departmental enquiry, the annual increment to which the petitioner is otherwise entitled has not been released. Hence, learned counsel prays for disposal of the present writ petition with a limited direction to the concerned authority to conclude the departmental enquiry within a stipulated period. 3. Learned State counsel submits that the departmental proceeding pending against the petitioner shall be concluded within a period of six months. 4. In view of the submission made by learned State counsel, the instant writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the competent authority to conclude the departmental enquiry proceeding pending against the petitioner, initiated vide communication dated 16.10.2024, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the present writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (Bibhu Datta Guru) JUDGE Jyoti