H.C.P.Tripathi, J. - (1.) This writ petition is directed against an order No. B-2968/XIIB-699/1956, dated August 27, 1962, of the State Government, terminating the appointment of the petitioner form the post of Assistant Economic Botanist (Cotton).
(2.) The petitioner had a brilliant academic career. He passed his B.Sc. Agriculture from the University of Agra and was placed in First Division. He obtained his degree of M.Sc. in Agriculture in First Division and was first in order of merit. He was appointed a Botanical Assistant in Group I of Subordinate Agriculture Service on 1.2.1950, but he was relieved on 3rd July 1950 on account of the termination of the post. He was, however, re-appointed in the same Group on the same service on 25th of July 1950 and was posted as Senior Agriculture Inspector at Lucknow and then was transferred to Bulandshahr. While serving the Department in that capacity, he applied for the post of Assistant Economic Botanist (Cotton) which was advertised by the Public Service Commission in 1957 and was appointed as such by order dated 30th of April 1958 on probation for a period of two years. The petitioner took charge of the office on the 26th of May 1958. His probationary period was extended under subsequent Government orders till 30th September 1962 and the impugned order, as indicated earlier, was passed on August 27, 1962.
(3.) The petitioner has challenged the validity of the aforesaid order on a variety of grounds. His contention is that it is not a simple order of discharge but one of punishment which has been passed on the basis of adverse entries made by the Economic Botanist against the petitioner in his character roll and as such leaves an indelible stigma affecting his future career, and as no reasonable opportunity of showing cause has been afforded to the petitioner, the impugned order is wholly illegal.;