JUDGMENT :

(per Arup Kumar Goswami, CJ)

1. Heard Mr. Y. Nagi Reddy, learned counsel for the appellants and Mr. S.A. Razak, learned counsel for the respondent.

2. This appeal is preferred by the appellants against the judgment dated 23.11.2018 passed by the learned single Judge in W.P.No.1225 of 2007 allowing the writ petition and setting aside the proceedings dated 14.03.2005 and Memo dated 06.05.2005 issued by the 3rd respondent and the order of the 2nd respondent-appellate authority, dated 16.12.2005, with all consequential benefits.

3. Facts of the case, in a nutshell, are that the writ petitioner (respondent herein) was appointed as Non-Muster Roll (NMR) in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board (APSEB) during the year 1971 and subsequently, he was absorbed as helper in the year 1979. Thereafter, he was promoted as Assistant Lineman on 09.05.1982 and as Lineman, on 21.06.1985. A complaint was made in the year 1999 against the writ petitioner for allegedly producing a false educational certificate at the time of his employment and after conclusion of the enquiry, a show cause notice was issued requiring the petitioner to explain as to why he should not be dismissed fro