A.B. Pal, J.

1. The petitioner Shri Nath Singh Mahar was enrolled in Assam Rifles on 15.3.1975. Before employment he was married to one Ganga Debi. On 8.3.1985, after a period of more than ten years in service, he contracted a second marriage with one Smti. Sarda Devi when his first wife was alive. This being a misconduct he faced a disciplinary proceeding initiated in January, 1996. Two charges were framed against him. The first charge is that in 1985 when he was Naik Subadar he gave a false declaration that his first wife Ganga Devi died on 15.10.1984. The said declaration was published in the Unit BRO as 42.9.85. Thereafter he married Smt. Sarda Devi. But from the letter dated 19.1.1993 of Smt. Ganga Devi, forwarded by Soldier Welfare and Rehabilitation Branch, it came to light that the petitioner gave a false declaration which is unbecoming of a government servant. The second charge is that he contracted a second marriage on 8.3.1985 with Smt. Sarda Devi when his first marriage with Ganga Devi was subsisting. Such a second marriage without prior permission is illegal for a government servant.

2. After a detail inquiry the petitioner was given benefit of doubt in respect o