N. NATARAJAN Vs. HIGH COURT OF MADRAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The punishment of stoppage of increment for one year with cumulative effect imposed on the petitioner in proceedings dtd. 7/5/2013 confirmed by the Appellate Authority in proceedings dtd. 29/6/2019, are under challenge in the present writ petition.

(2.) The petitioner was appointed as Senior Bailiff and promoted to the post of Bench Clerk Grade-II and retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation on 31/5/2013. A charge memorandum under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, was issued against the writ petitioner in proceedings dtd. 12/4/2007. The charge was "that while K.Natarajan Assistant is not a custodian on the first Additional Sub Court case bundles, has caused commission of tampering the suit pro-note with smudger in OS No.275 of 2005 and thereby committed dereliction of duty".

(3.) The petitioner submitted his explanations denying the charge. Not satisfied with the explanation, the Disciplinary Authority appointed an Enquiry Officer, who in turn had conducted enquiry and submitted Final Report on 21/12/2012.