( 1 ) THE management of HMT Limited being aggrieved by the order of the learned single judge dated, November 11 and 12, 1998, in Writ Petition No. 26334 of 1994 has preferred this writ appeal under Section 4 of the Karnataka High Court Act, 1964. The dispute relates to the disciplinary action taken against the respondent herein. The events leading to the filing of the writ petition be noted in the first instance briefly and they are as follows:

( 2 ) THE management of HMT Limited invited applications for the post of Deputy General manager (PR) prescribing certain qualifications and eligibility conditions. The respondent submitted an application for the post enclosing her bio-data. The management by its letter dated june 18, 1990, informed the respondent that she had been selected for the post and sought her acceptance. The respondent accepted the offer and reported for duty. The respondent was placed on probation and her probation period was extended by three months and ultimately she was confirmed in the post with effect from January 22, 1992, vide order dated May 8, 1992. Subsequently, the respondent was selected as Chief Public Relations Manager by the managemen