ORDER :

S.B. Sinha, Deepak Verma, JJ.

Leave granted.

These appeals are directed against the judgment and order dated 14.02.2006 passed by a Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh whereby and whereunder the letters patent appeal filed against the judgment and order dated 14.7.2005 passed by the learned Single Judge of the High Court passed in Writ Petition No. 799/2007 was affirmed.

2. Respondents herein were employees of the appellant-Corporation. They reached the age of superannuation some time in 2000. A departmental proceeding was initiated against the respondents in the year 1999 alleging some financial irregularities on their part committed in the year 1992-93. Certain amount was sought to be recovered from them which the appellant allegedly suffered by reason of the misconduct committed by them shortly before their superannuation.

3. One of the question which had been raised before the High Court and found favour with by both the learned Single Judge as also the Division Bench of the High Court, was that no disciplinary proceeding could have been initiated against the respondents and/or continue the same after their retirement. The High Court in support o