I.A. Ansari, J.

1. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, disciplinary proceeding, initiated against the Petitioner, needs to be stayed until disposal of the criminal prosecution launched against him is the question, which has arisen in the present writ petition. This question brings me, in fact, to the present question, namely, as to what principles govern stay of disciplinary proceedings, when there is a criminal case pending against a delinquent on the same set of facts.

2. I have heard Mr. S. Talapatra, learned Senior counsel, for the Petitioner, and Mr. P. K. Biswas, learned Central Govt. counsel, appearing on behalf of the Respondents.

3. Before I deal with the questions posed above, let me, set out, in brief, the material facts and various stages, which have led to the presentation of the present writ petition:

(i) When the Petitioner was functioning as Cashier in the office of the Deputy Director of Small Industries Service Institute (in short, 'the SISF) at Agartala, an FIR was lodged, on 30.7.2000, at Agartala police station, by the Deputy Director of SISI alleging to the effect, inter alia, that the informant had been on leave and out of station