K. KANNAMANI Vs. COMMISSIONER AND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.

(2.) For the three incidents that took place in the year 2005, the Petitioner was issued with three Charge Memos, all dtd. 2/9/2016 under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1955. By Orders, dtd. 15/6/2018 & 16/8/2018 respectively, the Disciplinary Authority had imposed censure and through another Order, dtd. 19/11/2018, the punishment of stoppage of increments without cumulative effect. All these punishments, are put under challenge in the present Writ Petitions.

(3.) The order of punishment is liable to be set aside predominantly on two grounds. Firstly, on the ground of delay in initiating the Disciplinary proceedings and secondly, on the impermissibility for splitting up the charges. Delay in initiating the Disciplinary proceedings: