JUDGMENT

Shivaraj V. Patil, J.-Leave sought for is granted.

2. The Life Insurance Corporation of India and its officers have brought this appeal to this Court aggrieved by the judgment dated 8.10.1999, passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Calcutta. The relevant facts, which are necessary for the disposal of this appeal, are the following :

3. While the respondent was working as a Development Officer in the Life Insurance Corporation of India at Calcutta (for short the Corporation ), a charge-sheet was issued to him on 15.2.1968 alleging that he remained unauthorisedly absent from his duties for a total number of 61 days between the period 18.10.1967 to 13.2.1968 and that he remained absent from his station at Calcutta during the said period without prior permission of the authorities. He was directed to submit his written statement to the said charges. Accordingly, he submitted his reply in writing. Thereafter, the Divisional Manager, Calcutta of the Corporation was appointed as Inquiry Officer to inquire into the said charges levelled against the respondent. The Inquiry Officer, on the basis of evidence, found the respondent guilty of all the charges. The Zonal Manager