V.D.MISHRA,C.J. - (1.)By this writ petition the petitioner challenges his compulsory retirement as a Forest Ranger.
(2.)Short of all unnecessary details, the relevant facts are these. The pititioner joined service as Forest Guard III grade on 26 -9 -1940 in the erstwhile Lower Bushahr Forest Division under Punjab Forest Department. After the merger of the State of Rampur Bushahr, the petitioner was allocated to Himachal Pradesh. On 21st July, 1961 he was made a Forest Ranger. In 1973 the petitioner was working at Mashobra under Shri Swaran Singh Chahai (respondent No. 3) Conservator of Forests Simla Circle, Simla. Respondent No. 3 visited Naldehra forests in connection with a complaint regarding illicit felling of trees. On 13th February, 1974 the petitioner was charge sheeted alongwith others for dereliction in the discharge of his duties which resulted in illicit felling often trees.
(3.)In June, 1975 the Government of Himachal Pradesh constituted a Screening Committee in order to retire prematurely those officers who were found unsuitable for Government service. This Committee consisted of ten Conservators of Forests. Shri Swaran Singh Chahai (respondent No. 3) was one of the members of this Committee. This Committee recommended the premature retirement of the petitioner under Rule 48 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. Accordingly the petitioner by an order dated 28th October, 1975 (Annexure PG) was made to retire prematurely with effect fiom 1st November, 1975.
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