JUDGMENT :

Sanjay K. Agrawal, J.

1. This writ petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of Indian is directed against the impugned order dated 21.11.2019 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jabalpur Bench, Circuit Sitting at Bilaspur (hereinafter referred to as ‘CAT’) in Original Application No.203/01141/2018, whereby the original application filed 2 by the sole respondent therein has been allowed and the petitioners / Union of India have directed to refund of an amount of Rs.17,40,000/- deposited by the respondent herein within a period of 90 days, failing which, the petitioners would be liable to pay the interest at the rate of 8% thereafter.

2. The respondent herein was working as Branch Post Mastar, Siltara, Takhatpur and it was the case of the respondent herein that he was issued a letter by the competent authority on 05.02.2015 alleging excess payment of Rs.17,00,000/- to the beneficiaries of various Government Schemes and to deposit the same in the office, otherwise criminal proceedings would be initiated against him. He, thereafter, under the threat and coercion, deposited a sum of Rs.17,00,000/- on 10.02.2015 and also deposited an amount of Rs.40,000/- on