1 CGHC010278132026 2026:CGHC:32488 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 5572 of 2026 K.N. Ram S/o Late Lugruram Sarthi Aged About 71 Years R/o Lakdapara Fundurdihari Ward 10, Ambikapur District Ambikapur C.G. ... Petitioner(s) versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Secretary Department Of Agriculture Mantralaya, New Raipur District Raipur C.G. ... Respondent(s) (Cause title taken from CIS) For Petitioner(s) : Shri Shishir Dixit, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Diksha Gouraha, Dy. Govt. Advocate Hon’ble Shri Bibhu Datta Guru, Judge Order on Board 29.07.2026 1. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was terminated from service vide order dated 29.01.2009 on account of his involvement in a criminal case registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It is SHOAIB ANWAR Digitally signed by SHOAIB ANWAR Date: 2026.07.29 16:08:26 +0530 2 further submitted that the petitioner was convicted by the learned Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Kanker, District North Bastar, vide judgment dated 31.01.2008 passed in the Special Criminal Case. 2. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioner preferred Criminal Appeal No. 163 of 2008 before this Court, which came to be allowed vide judgment dated 22.01.2026, whereby the petitioner was acquitted by extending the benefit of doubt. It is submitted that pursuant to the aforesaid acquittal, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 18.02.2026 (Annexure P/5) before respondent No. 1 requesting reconsideration of his case in light of the judgment passed by this Court in Criminal Appeal No. 163 of 2008. However, the said representation is still pending consideration. Learned counsel confines the relief in the present petition to a direction to respondent No. 1 to consider and decide the aforesaid representation in accordance with law within a stipulated period. 3. Learned State counsel submits that if the petitioner's representation is still pending, the same shall be considered and decided in accordance with law within a period of 45 days. 3 4. In view of the limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner and the submission advanced by learned State counsel, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 1 to consider and decide the petitioner's representation dated 18.02.2026 (Annexure P/5), if the same is still pending, strictly in accordance with law by passing a reasoned and speaking order, preferably within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim and the competent authority shall take an independent decision in accordance with law. 6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (Bibhu Datta Guru) JUDGE Shoaib