RANJIT SINGH Vs. FCI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner seeks quashing of the order dated 1st/2nd November. 2007 (Annexure P3) whereby the penalty of "reversion to the post of AG-1(D) in the lowest scale of pay of AG-1(D) till his retirement and recovery of Rs. 1,50.000" has been imposed upon him. He also assails the order dated 27th May. 2009 (Annexure P4) dismissing his appeal against the above-stated order of punishment.

(2.) Brief exordium of the facts are that the petitioner while working as a Manager (D) in the food Corporation of India was served with a charge-sheet dated 14th August, 2006, inter alia, alleging that he along with one Ram Singh AG-I(D) and Lila Dhar AG-II(D) while working at FSD-Faridkot during the year 2004-05 and 2005-06 failed to maintain "absolute integrity and devotion to duty" and "in connivance with each other misappropriated 1396-82-242 quintals rice Grade-A valuing Rs. 11.59.363.00.

(3.) Pursuant to the report dated 31st May, 2007 (Annexure P1) submitted by the enquiry officer holding that the charges levelled against him stood proved, the petitioner was served with a copy of the enquiry report and after considering his explanation/objections, the disciplinary authority vide the impugned order dated 1st/2nd November. 2007 (Annexure P3) reverted him to the post of AG-1(D) in the lowest pay-scale of the said post till his retirement with a further direction to recover 1.50.000.00 from him. The petitioner preferred a departmental appeal which has also been turned down by the Appellate Authority vide order dated 27th May. 2009 (Annexure P4).