Bakshish Kaur, J. - (1.) SHAMSHER Singh -petitioner, by invoking extra ordinary jurisdiction of this Court, has filed this writ with a prayer that the impugned order whereby he was dismissed from service be quashed.
(2.) THE petitioner was working as the Works Manager, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Kapurthala Depot. Sh. Jagjit Singh Pannu was working as Depot Manager, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Kapurthaia Depot. For the misappropriation and misuse of the amount, Preliminary enquiry was held against them, where after they were served with charge sheets. Resultantly on the basis of the evidence produce against them, the punishing authority found the petitioner responsible for gross mis -conduct, lacking integrity, thus his services were terminated with immediate effect. Whereas Jagjit Singh Pannu was awarded the punishment of stoppage of two increments with cumulative effect. The petitioner has challenged the impugned order mainly on the ground that the charges levelled against both the employees were the same. The petitioner has been awarded the gravest punishment of dismissal from service. Whereas lesser punishment has been awarded to Jagjit Singh Pannu. It, therefore, amounts to discrimination, violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
(3.) THE respondents in their joint written statement have admitted the holding of an enquiry against the petitioner and Jagjit Singh Pannu. It is reiterated that they were found guilty for the lapses on their part and they were punished accordingly. Negligence on the part of the petitioner in the performance of his duty was established. He was over all incharge of the workshop. He was required to keep check on the local purchases. The impugned order, therefore, does not suffer from any illegality.;