S. KRISHNANKUTTY CHETTIAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner was proceeded under disciplinary action while he was in the services of the Postal Department on certain charges related to three accounts. He was found guilty and was mulcted with punishment of withholding Rs.1.5 Lakhs from his gratuity, along with deduction of his pensionary benefits at the rate of 20% for a period of five years. The petitioner accepted the said punishment and did not proceed against it.

(2.) While so, going by the admitted facts, the petitioner was served with two notices under the Revenue Recovery Act, as per which, it is demanded that he pay an amount of Rs.8.00 Lakhs; and he challenged the same before the learned Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Cochin Bench, producing it as Annexure A3 and A3(a) therein.

(3.) The respondents countered the case of the petitioner relying upon Annexure R1, which is a letter stated to have been issued to him by the Superintendent of the Department of Posts, Pathanamthitta, dtd. 29/3/2016, notifying him that he is liable to pay Rs.4,92,814.00 being the actual loss suffered on account of his misdemeanour, along with interest, totalling nearly Rs.8.00 Lakhs. It also explains that, out of the total loss of about Rs.12,70,814.00, an amount of Rs.7,14,000.00 had been paid by the other delinquent officers; while the balance is his liability.