- (1.) THIS judgment disposes of two bunches of writ petitions. One comprising of C. W. P Nos. 13907, 4201, 10715, 12547, 13366, 13793, 13908, 13966, 13977, 14214, 14301, 14302, 14303, 14304, 14803, 14835, of 1993, 84, 85 and 725 of 1994, and the second bunch comprising of C. W. P. Nos. 939, 1834 and 1835 of 1994. In the second bunch of writ petitions, notice was not issued to the respondents and the same were ordered to be disposed of with the first bunch of writ petitions as the subject-matter of dispute was the same.
(2.) IN these petitions, a challenge has been made to the charge sheets served upon the petitioners and the appointment of Inquiry Officer. In order to appreciate the contentions raised at the Bar, a brief reference to the relevant facts is being made from the pleadings of C. W. P. No. 13907 of 1993.
(3.) PETITIONER No. 1 joined the Food Corporation of India (the Corporation, for brevity) as Assistant Grade-III (Depot) on December 31, 1971. He was promoted as Assistant Grade-II (Depot) and Assistant Grade (I) (Depot), vide orders issued by respondent No. 2 i. e. the Zonal Manager (North) of the respondent-Corporation and he joined these posts on September 25, 1979 and December 31, 1991, respectively. Petitioner No. 2 was initially appointed as Watchman, vide order issued by Respondent No. 3 with effect from July 16, 1971. He was promoted as Assistant Grade-III (Depot) by the Zonal Manager (North) and he joined the post on June 15, 1978.;