A.K. RAJA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Declined to interfere with the order of punishment of dismissal from services by the Central Administrative Tribunal (C.A.T.) is put to test by the petitioner in this writ petition.

(2.) Facts of the case in nutshell are that the petitioner was posted as Sub-Post Master at post office Byron Bazar, Raipur from 09-08-2008 till 12-01-2010. During the period of his posting at post office, Byron Bazar, Raipur some irregularities in maintaining various Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts of the account holders were found leading to misappropriation of an amount of Rs. 1,55,100/- in total. Being so, the appellant was placed under suspension contemplating departmental enquiry. Charge memorandum was issued for major penalty, specifically mentioning therein that the petitioner has committed irregularities while discharging his official duties for the period from 17-12-2008 to 31-12-2009.

(3.) The allegations were that the petitioner in connivance with the postal agents namely Smt. Heena Nagpal, Kumari Santosh Nagpal and Mr. Deepak Nagpal, misappropriated amount to the tune of Rs. 1,55,100/-. After appointment of inquiry Officer and Presenting Officer, departmental enquiry was concluded and the inquiry Officer found the charges levelled against the petitioner to be proved and submitted the enquiry report before the disciplinary authority. The disciplinary authority upon considering overall facts of the case and also the material available in the departmental enquiry proceeding has imposed punishment of dismissal from service. The order of punishment of dismissal from service was challenged by the petitioner by way of appeal before the Director, Postal Service, Chhattisgarh Circle, Raipur, who after considering the facts in issue and grounds urged therein dismissed the appeal. The petitioner, thereafter, also preferred Mercy Petition before the Chief Post Master General, Chhattisgarh Circle, Raipur which also came to be dismissed.