JUDGMENT

VERMA, J.:—The respondent, H. C. Khurana, was employed as Executive Engineer in the Delhi Development Authority (D.D.A.). A preliminary memo was served on the respondent on 6-11-1985, alleging some irregularities by him in the construction works, and they were being investigated. A charge-sheet was framed on 11-7-1990 against the respondent on the basis of irregularities in the constructions made in a housing colony. On 13-7-1990, the charge-sheet was despatched for being served on the respondent. However, the respondent proceeded on two months medical leave and, therefore, on 17-7-1990 another Executive Engineer R. K. Sood, working in the same wing as the respondent, received it and gave the intimation that the respondent was on leave, adding that the same would be handed over to the respondent on his return from leave. On 28-11-1990, the Departmental Promotion Committee (D.P.C.) met, and in view of the earlier decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the respondent, it followed the sealed cover procedure in the case of respondent. It appears, that the effort to effect personal service of the charge-sheet on the respondent on account of his non-availability c