(1) THE respondents herein are the Forest Watchers and Guards in the employment of the Forest Department of the State of Tamil Nadu. It appears certain acts of misconduct committed by the respondents came to the notice of the appellant. It is not disputed that the appellant is the disciplinary authority. The appellant after making an inquiry served separate charge sheets on the respondents asking them to file an explanation in respect of the charges levelled against them. The matter was inquired into by the appellant by examining the witnesses in support of the charges and also witnesses examined by the delinquent officer in their defence. Before any final order could be passed, the respondents approached the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, Chennai against issuance of charge sheet against them and inquiry initiated in pursuance thereof. The Tribunal after entertaining those original applications, by an interim order restrained the appellant from passing any final order consequent upon the inquiry conducted by the appellant. Subsequently when the matter came up for hearing the Tribunal went into the exercise of finding out the correctness or otherwise of the charges leve