S RAMU Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) AGGRIEVED by the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Madras Bench dated 16. 7. 1999 made in O. A. No. 496 of 1997, the petitioner, Ex. Branch Post Master, Seethakamangalam, has filed the above writ petition to quash the same on various grounds.

(2.) THE case of the petitioner is briefly stated hereunder: the petitioner was appointed as Branch Post Master, Seethakamangalam Branch Office on 18. 2. 1992 by the Superintendent of Post Offices, Kumbakonam Division, the third respondent herein. Whileso, he was placed under PUT OFF duty with effect from 18. 6. 1994 on the ground of disciplinary proceedings contemplated against him. The third respondent has issued a charge memo dated 30. 9. 1994 alleging that the petitioner had kept the cash and stamp balance of Seethakamangalam Branch Office short to the tune of Rs. 348. 10 and secondly, he had failed to bring into account a sum of Rs. 1,500/-, which was accepted as deposit in the S. B. Account No. 463936 in the name of R. Vasuki. Thereafter, the Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices, Kumbakonam North Sub Division was appointed as Enquiry Officer. The Enquiry Officer has submitted his report on 30. 1. 1995 concluding the charges levelled against him were established. Thereafter, the Disciplinary Authority called for an explanation from the petitioner. The petitioner has also submitted his explanation on 18. 2. 1995. Ultimately, the Disciplinary Authority has passed an order on 29. 1. 1996 removing the petitioner from service.

(3.) QUESTIONING the order of removal, the petitioner has preferred an appeal to the second respondent, the Director of Postal Services, Trichirapalli. The same was disposed of by the first respondent on 11. 5. 1996 dismissing his appeal confirming the order of the third respondent. Thereafter, the petitioner has filed an application in O. A. No. 496 of 1997 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Chennai Bench. By the impugned order dated 16. 7. 1999, the Tribunal dismissed the said application. Hence, the present writ petition.