1 CGHC010202222026 2026:CGHC:30424 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 4413 of 2026 Smt. Saroj Sahu W/o - Gangadhar Sahu Aged About 58 Years Posted As Principal Government Higher Secondary School Nahanda, Block Dondi Lohara District Balod (Chhattisgarh) --- Petitioner versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Its Secretary School Education Department Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 2 – Director, Directorate Of Public Instructions, Indrawati Bahwan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.) 3 – Collector, District Balod (C.G.) --- Respondent(s) with WPS No. 4349 of 2026 Smt. Jyoti Meshram W/o Jitendra Meshram Aged About 56 Years Posted As Principal P.M. Shri Sages Dondi Block Dondi, District Balod (Chhattisgarh) ---Petitioner SOURABH BHILWAR Digitally signed by SOURABH BHILWAR Date: 2026.07.17 16:08:52 +0530 2 Versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Its Secretary School Education Department Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan Atal Nagar Raipur District Raipur (C.G.) 2 - Director Directorate Of Public Instructions Indrawati Bhawan Atal Nagar Naya Raipur, District -Raipur (C.G.) 3 - Collector District -Balod (C.G.) ... Respondents (Cause title is taken from Case Information System) For Petitioner : Ms. Apoorva Pandey, Advocate For Respondents/ State : Mr. Vivek Verma, Govt. Advocate alongwith Mr. K.G. Yadav, Dy. Govt. Advocate (HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE BIBHU DATTA GURU) Order on Board 17/07/2026 1. Since identical issues are involved in the above-mentioned writ petitions, they are being heard and decided by this common order. 2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners who are posted as Principals, have been suspended by the Collector, Balod vide impugned order dated 07- 05-2026 who is not the competent authority. She would further submit that the Principal being Class-II, Gazetted Officer, Collector is not the competent authority, therefore, the suspension is bad-in-law. 3 3. This issue is no more res integra that the Collector cannot pass the suspension order against Class-II Government servant who is Gazetted Officer. 4. Considering this aspect of the matter, the suspension orders dated 07-05-2026 (Annexure P/1 in both the writ petitions) passed by the Collector, Balod is set aside. However, the liberty is granted to the State Government to pass a fresh order by the competent authority. 5. In view of the aforesaid observation and direction, both the writ petitions stand disposed of. Sd/- (BIBHU DATTA GURU) JUDGE $. Bhilwar