Prolonged Suspension of Public Servants cannot continue indefinitely without timely chargesheet and a reasoned extension order.

Suspension of a public servant is temporary and cannot be continued for an indeterminate period pending criminal proceedings or a departmental enquiry. Where charges are not served within a reasonable time, continuation of suspension requires a reasoned order of extension; otherwise, mechanical prolongation is impermissible. The governing principle is that prolonged suspension offends the right to a speedy trial and human dignity, while departmental proceedings may proceed without keeping the employee under continued suspension. On that basis, the suspension was liable to revocation and the employee was entitled to relief against the prolonged suspension.

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Issues: Whether the suspension of a government servant could be continued for an indefinite period pending criminal proceedings and departmental enquiry, and whether such suspension was liable to be revoked in the absence of timely chargesheet and a reasoned order for extension.

Analysis: The suspension of a public servant is temporary in nature and cannot be allowed to continue for an indeterminate period. The governing principle applied was that prolonged suspension offends the right to speedy trial and the values of human dignity, and that where charges are not served within a reasonable time the suspension should not be mechanically extended. The Court applied the principle that continuation of suspension beyond a short period requires justification through a reasoned order, and that departmental proceedings may proceed without keeping the employee under continued suspension.

Conclusion: The suspension order was revocable and could not be continued in the manner adopted; the petitioner was entitled to relief against the prolonged suspension.

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