125 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-22195-2026 DECIDED ON: 21.07.2026 JAGJIT SINGH SANDHU AND ANR .....PETITIONER(S) VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS .....RESPONDENT(S) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP MOUDGIL Present: Mr. J.P. Rana, Advocate and Mr. Sukhandeep Singh, Advocate for the petitioners SANDEEP MOUDGIL, J (ORAL) 1. The present petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for quashing the inquiry report dated 10.09.2021 (Annexure P-3) submitted by respondent No.3. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners has primarily contended that the inquiry suffers from the vice of bias inasmuch as the very officer who ordered the inquiry also appointed himself as the Inquiry Officer and thereafter conducted the proceedings. It is further submitted that the petitioner had raised a specific objection to the competence and impartiality of the Inquiry Officer at the very inception of the proceedings in the year 2021 vide representation (Annexure P-5), but the said objection has not been considered. 3. During the course of hearing, it has been brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has now been called for a personal hearing on 29.07.2026 at 3:00 P.M. vide letter dated 20.04.2026 (Annexure P-6). MEENU 2026.07.22 11:39 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-22195-2026 -2- 4. In view of the said development, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner would be satisfied if respondent No.2 is directed to consider all the pleas raised by him, including the objection regarding the legality of the inquiry, before passing the final order. 5. Without commenting upon the merits of the controversy or the rival contentions of the parties, and considering that the disciplinary proceedings are still pending, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the Secretary-cum-Director, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (respondent No.2) to consider and decide all the objections/pleas raised by the petitioner, including those urged in the present writ petition, by passing a speaking order. The authority shall specifically deal with each of the contentions raised by the petitioner and record reasons for accepting or rejecting the same before proceeding further in accordance with law. 6. The petitioner shall be at liberty to challenge the charge-sheet, the inquiry report and the final order of punishment, if any, along with all consequential grounds, in accordance with law, if the cause of action still survives after conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings. 7. The writ petition stands disposed of in the above terms. 8. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed off. (SANDEEP MOUDGIL) 21.07.2026 JUDGE Meenu Whether speaking/reasoned :Yes/No Whether reportable :Yes/No MEENU 2026.07.22 11:39 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document