N SHANMUGAM Vs. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF REGISTRATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE writ petitions are filed against the orders passed by the respondent/inspector General of Registration dated 02. 07. 2007 imposing the punishment of dismissal from service in respect of the petitioners.

(2.) THE petitioners in these writ petitions were all working in the office of the Sub Registrar, Kalambur. The petitioner, in W. P. No. 23341 of 2007 was the Office Assistant, in W. P. No. 23342 of 2007 was the Sub Registrar, in W. P. Nos. 23343 and 23344 of 2007 were the Assistants and in W. P. No. 23345 of 2007 was the Office Assistant in the said Sub Registrar's office and they were issued with a charge memo by the Commissioner, Disciplinary Proceedings Tribunal, Vellore dated 16. 12. 1999, under Rule 20 of the Tamil Nadu Government Service Conduct Rules, 1977 which states that if the Government Servant fails to maintain absolute integrity and devotion of duty, he is liable for disciplinary proceedings. The charge relates to corruption viz. , illegal collection of bribe of Rs. 500/- from Shanmugam, Document Writer and Rs. 150/- from C. Rajakili a private person at the office of the Sub Registrar. The petitioners have submitted their explanations.

(3.) THE case of the petitioners is that even though one of the petitioners viz. , Shanmugam, the petitioner in W. P. No. 23341 of 2007 is stated to have given a statement, admitting the charge of corruption, subsequently he retracted the same that such letter has been obtained from him by force and threat and therefore that cannot be taken as an admission of the charge. An enquiry was conducted and the enquiry officer's report was sent on 23. 10. 2000 and thereafter the petitioners have submitted their further representations to the respondent. It is thereafter, by the impugned proceedings, the orders of punishment have been passed. It is as against the said orders of the respondent imposing the punishment of dismissal from service, the petitioners have filed the present writ petitions.