- (1.) HAVING heard learned counsels for the respective parties on the question of limitation, we are satisfied that sufficient grounds have been made out for condoning the delay of 16 days in filing the appeal.
(2.) THE application for condonation of delay is, accordingly, allowed and the delay in filing the appeal is condoned and the appeal is taken up for consideration immediately. This appeal has been preferred by the Central Coalfields Limited and its authorities against the judgment and order dated 25th August, 2003 passed by the learned single Judge in CWJC No. 3577 of 2000 holding that the punishment imposed upon the writ petitioners was excessive and disproportionate to the unproved charges levelled against them and quashing the same and remitting the matter to the Disciplinary Authority for passing a fresh order on the quantum of punishment in accordance with law.
(3.) THE writ petitioners -respondents herein were working as Pay Clerks in Amlo Project of the Central Coalfields Limited. On 4th July, 1994, they were entrusted with the work of disbursement of salary to the employees and at the end of the day, certain unpaid amounts were kept in the respective Cash Boxes in the Cash room. According to the writ petitioners, they had duly informed the Cashier of such fact. On the same day at night, the cash boxes were broken open and the amounts kept therein the case room were stolen.;