Infructuous writ petition after inquiry proved charges and departmental action was already in progress.

The inquiry report recorded that the charges against the respondent officer were proved, and departmental action was already underway through a further memo seeking his reply under the relevant rules and instructions. In that situation, the writ petition seeking directions for disciplinary and criminal action no longer required adjudication on merits and was treated as infructuous. The claim for damages and other ancillary relief was not entertained in this proceeding, and the petitioner was left to pursue the appropriate forum in accordance with law.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition seeking directions for disciplinary and criminal action against the respondent officer survived after the inquiry report had found the charges proved and further departmental action was already in progress.

Analysis: The inquiry report placed before the Court recorded that the charges against the respondent officer stood proved. A further memo had been issued calling for his reply and indicating that action would follow in accordance with the relevant rules and instructions. In these circumstances, the grievance raised in the writ petition no longer required adjudication on merits. The claim for damages and other ancillary relief was also not entertained in this proceeding, the petitioner being relegated to the appropriate forum in accordance with law.

Conclusion: The writ petition was rendered infructuous and was disposed of accordingly.

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