C KRISHNAN Vs. FOREST RANGE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner was engaged as Plot Watcher on daily wages from 01.09.1979 in the protection of forestry plantations. While so, the respondent passed the impugned order dated 16.02.2000 dismissing the petitioner from service.

(2.) THE petitioner has filed the Original Application in O.A.No.1757 of 2000 (W.P.No.43441 of 2006) to quash the aforesaid order dated 16.02.2000 of the respondent. THE Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, while admitting the Original Application granted interim stay of the dismissal order on 31.03.2000. Pursuant to the interim order, the petitioner was continued in service as Plot Watcher. THEreafter, the petitioner was appointed as Forest Watcher in the regular post from 06.10.2003 and subsequently, he was promoted as Forest Guard from 15.08.2010.

(3.) THE learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the impugned order was passed in blatant violation of principles of natural justice, as no enquiry was held. It is submitted that Rule 17 (b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules was not complied with. Hence, the impugned order is liable to be quashed.