(1.) Delay condoned.
(2.) Special leave granted.
(3.) The respondents in these appeals were employed as Police Constables in the Police Force of the State of Tamil Nadu and were attached to Madrasharbour. On 9/11/1987 they were assigned duty at Ore Berth inside the Harbour. On the basis of a complaint made by one Tome-de-Jesus, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against them on the basis of a charge- sheet containing the following two charges: