RAMESH SINGH Vs. STATE OF HP

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Being aggrieved and dissatisfied on account of non consideration of his case for promotion to the post of Block Officer/Deputy Ranger, petitioner approached erstwhile Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal by way of Original Application bearing No. 3059 of 2015, praying therein for following substantive relief:-

(2.) After abolishment of erstwhile Tribunal, OA came to be transferred to this Court and the same has been re-registered as CWPOA No. 5546 of 2019.

(3.) Briefly the facts, as emerge from the record are that petitioner was appointed as Timber Watcher in the year 1983 and thereafter he came to be promoted as Forest Guard in the year 1987. Petitioner remained posted as Forest Guard with effect from 1987 till 2001. During this period, petitioner was charge-sheeted with following charges i.e. (i) committing gross irregularity (ii) he was careless in discharging of his official duty. Inquiry was initiated by respondent No.2, wherein petitioner was found guilty by the disciplinary authority. On the basis of inquiry report, major penalty of reduction in rank was imposed and he was demoted to the post of Timber Watcher from the post of Forest Guard.