JUDGMENT :- Leave granted.

2. This appeal by the State of Uttar Pradesh is directed against judgment dated April 9, 1997 of Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench). The impugned order of the High Court was passed in writ Petition filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh aggrieved by the order dated August 7, 1985 of the Uttar Pradesh Public Services Tribunal, Lucknow, by which the claim petition filed by the respondent Ajit Singh was allowed and the order of punishment dated February 9, 1982, passed by the Director of Agriculture against him was quashed. High Court held that the Tribunal was wrong in quashing the order of punishment dated February 9, 1982. However, it held that the respondent was entitled to full salary for whole of the period for which he was treated to be under suspension, i.e., from September 14, 1962 to October 31, 1975. High Court maintained the order of recovery of Rs. 9928/- passed by the disciplinary authority.

3. The respondent was an S.A.S. Group II service officer in the Agricultural Department of the State. At the relevant time he was posted at Burhana Seed Store, District Muzaffarnagar. On a charge of misappropriation he was suspended from service and disciplina