LAXMAN SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The appellant was appointed as "Rakshak" in the Railway Protection Force. While he was on Special Duty in the office of the Chief Train Examiner, Ajmer on 20/21-2-1981 it was found that some articles in the godown were found removed and placed near the fencing. An F.I.R. was lodged on 21.2.1981. A Departmental Enquiry was initiated against the appellant for his failure in preventing theft of railway property. The appellant was found guilty of gross negligence in discharge of duties in the Departmental Enquiry. A penalty of reduction of pay to the minimum of time-scale of Rs. 200.00 for a period of two years affecting his future increments was imposed.

(3.) The appellant filed an appeal against the said order of penalty. The Appellate Authority in exercise of powers conferred under Rule 58 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1959 enhanced the penalty after issuing a show cause notice to the appellant from reduction of time scale to that of removal from service by an order dated 20.06.1983.