1. Respondent was working as Assistant Director (Rande) in the office of the first petitioner herein-Chief General Manager (Karnataka Telecom Circle), during 2000-2001. First petitioner issued an Articles of Charge dated 16-4-2001 to the respondent charging him as follows: sri K Gururajan while functioning as Assistant Direct (R and E) o/o Chief General Manager, telecom, Karnataka Circle, Bangalore has illegally participated in the "hunger Strike" on 30-10-2000 in front of the Office of the Chief General Manager Telecom, Karnataka Circle, bangalore in violation of Rule 7 (ii) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. By the above act, Sri K Gururajan while functioning as Assistant Director (Rande) O/o Chief general Manager Telecom, Karnataka Circle, Bangalore has exhibited lack of devotion to duty and acted in a manner unbecoming of a Government servant contravening Rule 3 (1) (ii) and 3 (1) (iii) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964"

2. Respondent filed objections to the charge memo on 26-4- 2001 denying that he committed any misconduct, but admitted having participated in the hunger strike. He submitted that he applied for 2 days casual leave for 30th and 31st October, 2000 on personal g