JUDGMENT

Rajendra Babu, J.-Civil Appeal No. 2531/2001

The appellant in this appeal was serving as a Constable in Delhi Police. A departmental enquiry was initiated against the appellant by an order made on 11-11-1991 under Section 21 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978. The allegation against him is that while he was posted at Police Station Chanakya Puri, New Delhi he proceeded to avail medical rest for three days on 31-1-1990; that he was to report back on 2-2-1990 when he again extended his leave till 9-2-1990; that again he further sought seven days medical leave; that he was due to report back on duty on 16-2-1990, but he did not resume his duty nor sent any information nor submitted application for further medical leave and thus he was marked absent; that thereafter, a notice was sent to his native place through the Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad, U.P., to the effect that he remained absent from duty; that though he received that notice on 23,4.1990, he did not respond to the same nor did he send any information nor resumed duty; that in these circumstances, a departmental enquiry was initiated; that an inspector was authorised to conduct the enquiry and he got served the copies