JUDGMENT :

T.S. Thakur, CJI.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises out of a judgment and order dated 3rd February, 2014 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad whereby Writ Petition No.19485 of 2012 filed by the respondent has been allowed and disciplinary proceedings based on charge-sheet dated 26th June, 2011 issued to the respondent quashed with the direction that the writ petitioner-respondent herein shall be entitled to all consequential benefits.

3. The respondent-writ petitioner before the High Court joined the Saharanpur Division of Rural Engineering Department of the State of Uttar Pradesh as a Junior Engineer on 26th February, 1973. He was promoted to the post of Assistant Engineer on 25th April, 1981 and transferred to Pratapgarh Division, and thereafter to several other places till he superannuated from service on 30th September, 2008.

4. Financial irregularities allegedly causing a pecuniary loss to the tune of Rs.13,23,964/-to the State exchequer, having been noticed, a proposal for initiating disciplinary proceedings was mooted by the Rural Engineering Department and sanctioned by the Minister in-charge of Rural Engineering Department, Government of Uttar Pr