M.KATJU, J. - (1.) HEARD learned counsel for the parties.
(2.) THE petitioner has challenged the impugned order of the Central Administrative Tribunal dated 15.9.2000 (Annexure -6 to the petition). The petitioner was employed in the Railway and was posted at D.L.W., Varanasi. From 15.10.1987 he was absent without leave. The authorities repeatedly asked him to report for work but he did not come. It is stated in the letter dated 20.1.1989 that the petitioner also did not contact the department and did not send any information. Hence by the said order dated 20.1.1989, he was removed from service. He filed a mercy appeal which was decided by order dated 11.8.1995 (Annexure -2 to the petition). In that order it is stated that his removal on 20.1.1989 does not call for any change, but taking a compassionate view of the matter a compassionate allowance of Rs. 700 per month was sanctioned to him. The petitioner approached the Central Administrative Tribunal which has rejected his petition, hence this writ petition.
(3.) IT has been stated in paragraph 3 of the counter -affidavit that the petitioner was absent from 15.10.1987, and office memorandum dated 31.8.1988 was sent to him vide Annexure -C.A. 1. It was stated therein that the petitioner was absent without leave, and a memorandum was sent at his permanent address recorded in his service record at Lucknow through registered post twice, but the same were returned back by the postal authorities undelivered with the remark that the house of the applicant was not traceable. Thereafter the respondents then deputed one R. S. Sawhney, a staff member to trace out the applicant on 25.2.1988 and deliver him the aforesaid memorandum of the charges personally at his home address at Lucknow. However, Sri Sawhney reported that he could not locate the applicant or trace out about his whereabouts.;