Sambuddha Chakrabarti, J. - (1.) The petitioner was an Assistant Sub-Inspector (G.D) of the Border Security Force (the BSF, for short). On several charges leveled against him he faced trial before the General Security Force Court, (the Court, for short) and was dismissed from service.
(2.) The first charge against the petitioner was that he was in possession of a sum of Rs. 40, 335/- during the period from December 20, 2014 to January 3, 2015 which was disproportionate to his income. The other charges against the petitioner related to his illegally allowing a smuggler to cross the border and help smuggle cattle and contraband goods on receiving undue gratification.
(3.) The petitioner has assailed the trial on the ground of violation of the principle of natural justice as he was not given the opportunity of being heard properly and was not provided with the copies of the documents. Even the confessional statement of the petitioner addressed to the Commandant nowhere indicated that he had allowed infiltration of smugglers with animals and contraband goods in the prohibited area.;