JUDGMENT

Manmohan, J. (Oral)--The hearing has been done by way of video conferencing.

1. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated 09th June 2021 vide which penalty of "reduction to one stage lower in the time scale of pay for a period of one year without cumulative effect and not adversely affecting his pension"was imposed upon the petitioner. Petitioner also seeks a direction to the Respondents to grant `Senior Time Scale' along with interest @ 8% from the date the Petitioner becomes eligible.

2. Learned counsel for the Petitioner states that vide chargesheet dated 18th August 2019, the Respondents initiated minor penalty proceedings against the Petitioner inter alia on the charge that the Petitioner while functioning as Assistant Commandant (Min) in the office of DIG (Ops) CRPF Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) committed a serious act of misconduct by circulating an audio clip of personal audience of DG, CRPF in social media through Whatsapp and th