SAMUEL M J Vs. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal by the petitioner in Original Petition No. 438 of 1965. That petition challenged, without success, the validity of Ex. P. 7, an order of the Chief Conservator of Forests, dismissing the petitioner from his post as forester in the service of the State.

(2.) THE enquiry Into the allegations against the appellant was conducted by the Divisional Forest Officer, Malayattur. One of the contentions urged before us is that he was not competent to conduct the enquiry under Rule 15 of the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1960.

(3.) RULE 16 provides the procedure for imposing a major penalty like the one imposed in this case. Sub-rule (2) (b) of that rule says that the enquiry may be conducted by