JUDGMENT

1. This matter has been taken up for hearing online because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

2. The petitioner is seeking quashing of an order dated 15.12.2018 passed by the Superintendent of Police, Supaul, whereby punishment of dismissal from service has been imposed upon him. The petitioner's appeal has been rejected by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Koshi Range, Saharsa, by an order dated 24.05.2019, which is also under challenge in the present writ application.

3. The petitioner, at the relevant point of time, was posted as constable (driver) in Supaul Police Station. Allegedly, on 15.09.2018 a video clip had become viral in which the petitioner was seen as consuming alcohol. An enquiry was ordered by the Inspector General of Police, whereafter, the Sub Inspector of Police namely, Deonandan Das conducted an enquiry and found the petitioner consuming alcohol. An F.I.R. was registered against him on 16.09.2018 for the offences punishable under Section 30(a) & 37(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. He was put under suspension by the Superintendent of Police, Supaul by an order dated 17.09.2018 in contemplation of departmental proceeding. The said vi