Purnendu Singh, J.—Heard Mr. Anand Kumar Singh, learned counsel along with Mr. Ranjit Kumar Yadav and Mr. Ugresh Kumar, learned counsels appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Mr. Shailesh Kumar, learned AC to GP-5 for the State.

2. The petitioner in paragraph no. 1 of the present writ petition has sought, inter alia, following relief(s), which is reproduced hereinafter:—

(i) For quashing of order contained in Memo No.233 dated 13.04.2022 passed by Director General of Police, Bihar, Patna whereby and where under following punishment has been imposed to the petitioner.

(a) Petitioner was demoted on the basic pay scale of Police Sub-Inspector for five years.

(b) Petitioner shall not get anything extra what he has already got ten during suspension period.

(c) Petitioner shall not be posted as Officer-In-Charge or any responsible post for 10 years from the date of issuance of this order.

(ii) For quashing of order No.2576 of 2022 contained in Memo No.6069 dated 21.04.2022 issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna whereby and where under aforesaid all the three punishments have been imposed on the petitioner and his suspension has been revoked.

(iii) For quashing of Patna District order No.2610 of 2022 dated 23.04.2022 issued by Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna by which petitioner was demoted to the basic pay scale of Police Sub Inspector of Rs.35,400/- for five years.

(iv) For direction to the respondent authorities to restore the seniority of the petitioner as Inspector of Police as he was holding the said post at the time of initiation of departmental proceeding.

(v) For direction to the respondent authorities to restore the pay scale of petitioner of Inspector of Police at pay scale of Rs.50,500/- and also give other consequential benefit for which petitioner is entitled to before initiation of departmental proceeding.

(vi) For any other relief/reliefs to which the petitioner may be found entitled to.

3. The brief facts of the case are that while the petitioner was posted on the post of Inspector of Police at Bypass Police Station, Patna, a raid was conducted by the Excise Department in the area falling under the jurisdiction of the petitioner’s police station. The petitioner was present during the course of raid leading to recovery of illicit foreign liquor amounting to rupees four lac. The petitioner lodged FIR against accused persons and prepared seizure list. It is alleged that the participation of the petitioner in the sale of illicit liquor along with one chaukidaar, namely, Lalu Paswan, cannot be denied as the godown, in which raid was conducted, is only 500 meters from the police station, which is in violation of the direction contained in Letter No. 63 dated 24.11.2020. The petitioner was suspended by the Director General of Police, Bihar vide Letter No. 142 dated 01.02.2021 for the said reason. A memo of charge contained in Memo No. 1723 dated 06.02.2021 was served to the petitioner. Thereafter, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Patna vide letter contained in Memo no.41 dated 09.02.2021, issued show cause as to why the petitioner be not held guilty for being negligent in implementation of Excise Prohibition Law which is in violation of Rule-3(1) of the Government Official Conduct Rule, 1976, pursuant to which, the petitioner submitted his detailed show cause reply on 19.03.2021 denying all the allegation. The Inquiry Officer after holding inquiry recommended for imposition of major penalty of dismissal of the petitioner. Thereafter, the Disciplinary Authority held the petitioner guilty of the charges and passed Penalty Order contained in Memo No. 233 dated 13.04.2022. Aggrieved by the penalty order, the petitioner has preferred the present writ petition.

SUBMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER

4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, at the outset, submitted that the suspension order no. 21/2021-142 issued by the Director General of Police on 01.02.2021 addressed to the Senior Superint