JUDGMENT

Ravindra V. Ghuge, J. - Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and heard finally by the consent of the parties.

2. This matter was heard finally at admission stage on 12th August, 2021. Since it was rising time when the hearing had concluded, we posted it today for dictation of the judgment.

3. The petitioner has approached this Court with the contention that the enquiry was already concluded and yet, a fresh charge-sheet was issued and a fresh enquiry was contemplated. Notice was issued to the respondents on 9th July, 2020. Since none appeared for respondent nos.1 to 5, this Court directed the respondents that they would not pass a final order, though they would be at liberty to conduct the fresh enquiry.

4. The contention of the petitioner as set out in the memo of the petition, can be summarized as under:-

a) A departmental enquiry was initiated in May, 2019 against the petitioner on the ground of forging travelling entries for acquiring excess allowance. This was on a complaint from a Railway employee to the senior authorities of the Railway Protection Force (for short, "Force"). On 22nd July, 2019, an order of punishment, of a minor nature, was issued and the payment of one