B BALA MURUGAN Vs. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this writ petition, the punishment of reduction in pay by three stages for three years with cumulative effect, imposed on the petitioner by the third respondent in his proceedings dated 6. 7. 2000, as confirmed by the second respondent in appeal on 7. 1. 2001 and further confirmed in review on 10. 3. 2002, is challenged.

(2.) THE facts of the case as stated in the affidavit are as under,

(3.) THE respondents filed a counter affidavit in which it is stated that the petitioner was maintaining a clean record of service prior to the award of punishment now imposed. It is further stated that PW-1 to PW-4 have made cogent statements at the first instance during preliminary enquiry, but turned hostile and deposed against the prosecution only during final enquiry and hence the Enquiry Officer placed reliance on their earlier statements and held the charge as proved. Therefore, according to the respondents, there is no illegality in relying the earlier statements of the witnesses and consequently no interference is called for in the impugned order of punishment.