Judgment

S.B. Sinha, J.—These appeals arising out of a common judgment and order dated 6.7.2001 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh were taken up for hearing together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. The Respondents herein were at all material times working as Inspector and Field Officer/Supervisor. They were posted at Moga. A physical verification of stocks was carried out from 21st June, 1985 to 26th June, 1985; pursuant whereto shortages of 4513 bags of wheat were said to have been found.

3. Allegedly, Tilak Raj, defendant No. 1 deposited in two instalments 2400 bags and 210 bags of wheat. In an audit report shortages of stock of articles were said to have been highlighted.

4. It was alleged that, thus, shortages of wheel took place due to lack of proper supervision on the part of the Respondents. It was furthermore alleged that whereas the defendant No. 1 was the actual holder of the stock, the defendant No. 2 being Senior Superintendent was negligent in making proper supervision of the godowns.

5. Departmental proceedings were initiated against both of them. They were dismissed from services. In the departmental proceedings, against the