K LOGANATHAN Vs. DIRECTOR OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD both sides.

(2.) THE petitioner filed O.A.No.9412 of 1997, seeking to challenge an order of the second respondent, dated Nil/08/97, by which he was imposed with the punishment of reduction in rank from the post of Assistant to that of Junior Assistant with the starting scale of pay on permanent basis. Even at the time of filing of the original application, the petitioner had reached the age of superannuation and retired from service.

(3.) EVEN before the disciplinary proceedings, a criminal case was instituted in C.C.No.226 of 1976 before the learned Sub Divisional Magistrate, Villupuram. The petitioner was acquitted from the criminal case, by a judgment dated 28.12.1978. It was after the acquittal by the criminal court, the charge memo was issued.