JUDGMENT

Dipak Misra, J.

Leave granted.

2. In this appeal, by special leave, the assail is to the judgment and decree dated 25.07.2013 passed by the learned Single Judge of High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in R.S.A. No. 796 of 2012 whereby the High Court has affirmed the judgment and decree passed by the Courts below.

3. The broad essential facts which are to be stated for adjudication of this appeal are that the respondent-plaintiff joined the services of the appellant – Punjab State Electricity Board (for short ‘the Board’) on 17.12.1984 as Lower Division Clerk. As the respondent-plaintiff remained absent from duty without sanctioned leave from 9.7.1987 for a considerable time, a disciplinary proceeding was initiated against him. After following due procedure as envisaged under Punjab State Electricity Board Employees (Punishment & Appeal) Regulations, 1971, the competent authority imposed the punishment of stoppage of five annual increments without cumulative effect and further the period of absence mentioned in the Show Cause Notice was directed to be treated as non-duty period.

4. Being aggrieved by the aforesaid punishment, the respondent filed Suit No. 155 of 20