Awadhesh Kumar Pandey v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
Awadhesh Kumar Pandey v. State of Chhattisgarh, WPS No. 720 of 2020, High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, Single Bench, Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, decided 16.02.2026. Terminated Principal acquitted on 27.07.2017 in a Prevention of Corruption Act case (alleged bribe of Rs. 5000/-; arrest under Sections 7, 13(1)(d), 13(2)); State's appeal CRMP No.868/2018 against acquittal dismissed on 11.06.2025. Petition seeking reinstatement disposed of: liberty granted to file a fresh representation before the Collector, Tribal Development Department, North Bastar Kanker within 3 weeks, with a direction to decide it preferably within 8 weeks, on merits and in accordance with law; no opinion expressed on merits. Keywords: reinstatement after acquittal, termination, fresh representation, tribal development department, writ petition disposed.
What did the court decide?
Liberty to file a fresh representation/application before Respondent No.3 (Collector, Tribal Development Department) within 3 weeks; Respondent No.3 directed to consider and decide it as early as possible, preferably within 8 weeks, on its own merits and strictly in accordance with law, the Court expressing no opinion on merits.