Rajnish Kumar,J. - (1.) Heard, Shri Ram Ji Trivedi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Shri Ratnesh Chandra, learned counsel for the respondents.
(2.) The petitioner has approached this Court challenging the order dated 16.11.2012 passed by respondent no.2 contained in Annexure No.1 to the writ petition by which the entire salary of the petitioner for the period of suspension has been forfeited as a measure of punishment. He has further prayed for a direction to release the entire amount of salary alongwith interest thereon in favour of the petitioner.
(3.) The brief facts of the case for adjudication of the present controversy are that the petitioner was posted as Sahayak Koshadhyaksh in Hardoi Depot, Hardoi. On 12.10.1998 he had fallen ill so he had sent the key of cash chest through his daughter which was handed over to one Shri Ambrish Kumar Shukla, who was senior centre in-charge at Hardoi Depot, Hardoi under whom the petitioner was posted. The petitioner was suspended by means of the order dated 14.10.1998 on the ground that the cash amount was found less on 12.10.1998. Thereafter, after preliminary enquiry, a charge-sheet dated 27.02.1999 was issued and served on the petitioner. The petitioner submitted his reply on 11.11.1999 in which charges levelled against him have been categorically denied. The petitioner was reinstated on the post by means of the order dated 13.04.2000, pending departmental enquiry. After conducting enquiry, the enquiry report was submitted, in pursuance of which a show cause notice dated 29.06.2000 was issued to the petitioner. The petitioner submitted his reply on 17.07.2000. Thereafter the order dated 23.09.2000 was passed by means of which the petitioner was dismissed from service and the direction was issued to recover a sum of Rs. 98,905.11/- from the petitioner.;