1. The challenge in this writ petition is to the order dated 3rd May, 1997 of the Disciplinary Authority of the respondent Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) imposing the penalty of bringing down the basic salary of the petitioner by three steps and to the order dated 10th June, 1998 of the Appellate Authority of the respondent LIC, while upholding the findings of the Disciplinary Authority, modifying the penalty imposed on the petitioner to bringing down by two steps, instead of three steps, the basic salary of the petitioner.

2. The petitioner was charged on 31st July 1995 with having falsely claimed LTC bill dated 12th August, 1993 for Rs.5,600/- in respect of himself, his wife, son and father for having visited Pune and back to Delhi from 31st July, 1993 to 8th August, 1993. It was the case of the Disciplinary Authority of the respondent LIC that the petitioner in support of the said bill had submitted a receipt dated 30th July, 1993 for Rs.5,600/- issued by M/s. Shri Bharat Darshan Jain Yatra Sangh (Tour Operator) and wherein it was indicated that the journey aforesaid was performed by the petitioner by bus No. DL-IP-1857; that it had been found that such bus h