ORDER

1. Delay condoned.

2. Special leave granted.

3. The respondent, A. Gopalan, was employed as Sub-Postmaster, Kalanjoor; during the period from 14-8-1984 to 22-8-1985. Departmental proceedings were initiated against him on two charges of misconduct. The first charge was that while he was functioning as Sub- Postmaster, Kalanjoor, on 21-8-1985, he fraudulently effected withdrawal of Rs. 8000 without the knowledge of the depositor from Savings Bank Account No. 150657 of Kalanjoor so standing in the name of Smt T. K. Radbamony by himself a putting the signature of the depositor on the application for withdrawal and he took the amount himself. The second charge was that while functioning as Sub- Postmaster, Kalanjoor, during the period from 14-8-1984 to 22-8-1985 he failed to account for the amounts of Rs. 379 and Rs. 799 realised by him as customs duty from the addressees in respect of hand foreign parcels on 14-8-1984 and 21-8-1984, the dates of delivery of those parcels. An inquiry was conducted into the charges and the inquiry officer found that both the charges were established. The report of the inquiry officer was accepted by the disciplinary authority who imposed the penalt