JUDGMENT

JUDGMENT:— We have heard Sri Lekhi, learned Senior Advocate for the appellant and Sri Tewatia, learned Senior Counsel for the first respondent. Special leave granted.

2. Appellant was the Company Secretary of the Haryana Seeds Development Corporation Ltd., a Government Company. The short question in this appeal is whether in the course of the disciplinary inquiry initiated against the appellant by the Corporation on certain charges, which if established might lead to appellants dismissal from service, appellant was entitled to engage the services of a legal practitioner in the conduct of his defence. The proceedings in the inquiry attract and are regulated by the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules,1952.

Inquiry Authority, by his order dated 8-8-1989 rejected the prayer made by the appellant even at the initial stage of the inquiry for permission to engage the services of a lawyer. Before the High Court, appellant challenged the proceedings in the inquiry on grounds of denial of natural justice. The High Court dismissed the Writ Petition in limine.

3. The right of representation by lawyer may not in all cases be held to be a part of natural justice. No genera