RAGHUNATH RAY, J.

The petitioner at all material point of time was working in the Police service of Calcutta Police Force in the substantive post as SYCE No. 158/05 in Calcutta Mounted Police of Calcutta Police.

2. On 3.2.99 at about 9.00 A.M., an FIR was lodged in Taltala Police Station alleging inter alia that while one Miss Ekta Tewari, a young college student aged 24 years was entering in the subway of Metro Railways at J. N. Road near the crossing of S. N. Banerjee road, Sri Mazumdar, the Constable outraged her modesty by hugging her from behind. In response to her hue and cry, some passers-by chased him and overpowered him finally. He was handed over to the Police posted in front of the Peerless Inn and

was taken to Taltala Police Station.

3. On the basis of her written complaint, Taltala P.S. Case No. 59 dated 3.2.99 under Section 354 IPC was started against the petitioner. He was produced before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, 7th Court, Calcutta and was subsequently released on bail. On completion of investigation, the charge-sheet under Section 354 IPC was submitted against him.

4. During the pendency of the aforementioned criminal case, a departmental en