JUDGMENT

Nanavati, J.-Leave granted.

2. A departmental proceeding was initiated against the respondent, a Sub- Inspector of Police, on an allegation that in January 1988, while he was working as PSI at Anthiyur Police Station, he not only did not register a criminal case against one Smt. Jayalakshmi for the offences found to have been committed by her but let her off and delivered back the seized articles after accepting a bribe of Rs. 2,000/- from her. A Deputy Superintendent of Police was           appointed as an enquiry officer. He framed the charges and served the same on the respondent. He then held an enquiry and submitted his report to the Deputy Inspector General of Police who was competent to award the proposed penalty. The Dy. Inspector General of Police agreed with the findings recorded by the enquiry officer and imposed the penalty of compulsory retirement by an order dated 26.3.91. The respondent filed an appeal against that order to the Inspector General of Police who dismissed it by an order dated 16.7.91.

3. The respondent then filed O.A. No. 4236 of 1991 before the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal. It was contended before the Tribunal that onl