- (1.) HEARD learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.
(2.) THE petitioner is a retired government employee. A departmental inquiry was initiated against him during his service period. By means of impugned order dated 15.7.2011 Respondent No. 2 on completion of the inquiry after issuing a show cause notice to the petitioner has awarded following punishments : "XXX XXX XXX"
(3.) SUBMISSION of learned counsel for the petitioner is that before passing the impugned order principles of natural justice have not been followed and no show cause notice was issued to him before awarding the punishment. A perusal of the impugned order reveals that a categorical finding has been recorded by the Respondent No. 2 regarding a show cause notice dated 24.6.2011 having been issued and served upon the petitioner and thereafter not having received any reply / representation from the petitioner inspite of repeated reminders given to him as well as personal communication made with him. Para 10 and 11 of the impugned order wherein the said finding has been recorded, is reproduced as under: " XXX XXX XXX";