JUDGMENT

Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.—Leave granted.

2. The present appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 8.4.2005 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in Civil Revision No. 2569 of 1996 whereby the High Court allowed the Civil Revision filed by the respondent-State of Punjab. The appellant joined the PWD Department of State of Punjab as Clerk on 2.2.1953. He was promoted as a Sub-Divisional Clerk in the year 1957 and thereafter as Accounts Clerk in April 1965.

3. A case of embezzlement and misappropriation of Government funds was made against him and the department filed an appeal against the Respondent and he was put under suspension vide office order No. 57/E dated 24.5.1965. A criminal case was initiated against the Appellant which ultimately resulted in the acquittal of the Appellant vide judgment and order dated 9.8.1973 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar. No departmental action was taken against the Appellant and he was merely kept under suspension. The Appellant was reinstated vide order dated 12.4.1978 and it was ordered that period of his suspension be treated on duty for all intents and purposes. The Appellant was given proforma pr