Jayant Banerji, J. - (1.) Heard Sri Tarun Agrawal, Sri Saiful Islam Siddiqui, Tahira Kazmi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri V.K. Upadhyaya, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Prakash Padia for the respondents.
(2.) This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner for quashing of the order dated 14.5.2018, passed by the Disciplinary Authority inflicting penalty of reduction to a lower grade i.e. from the grade 'D' to 'B' as a measure of disciplinary action against him after finding him guilty of sexual harassment, of leveling malicious or false allegations, and of commission of acts subversive of discipline or of good behaviour. Further, quashing of the order dated 3.7.2018, passed by the Appellate Authority rejecting the appeal filed by the petitioner, has also been sought.
(3.) In the writ petition, it has been alleged that the petitioner was working as Senior Manager (Terminal) in Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and was posted at Allahabad. A complaint was filed against him by a lady employee, whom hereafter, we shall refer to as Ms. X, whereby, she levelled following allegations of harassment against the petitioner:- (i) Ms.X accused the petitioner of asking unwarranted questions of a personal nature while they were proceeding to Amethi on 16.2.2017 for conducting a land evaluation committee survey. (ii) Ms. X accused the petitioner of inappropriately touching her face and lips, and also holding her hand while they were returning to Allahabad on 17.2.2017 after finishing the land evaluation committee survey.;