Suman Shyam, J,

1. The judgment and order dated 19/06/2015 passed in WP(C) No. 6558/2013, by means of which the learned Single Judge had interfered with the order of penalty dated 08/11/2013 removing the respondent from service, is under challenge in the present appeal.

2. Heard Mr. N.C. Das, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. B Choudhury, learned counsel appearing for the appellants. Also heard Prof. CSHN Murthy, the respondent appearing in person.

3. At the outset we wish to put on record the fact that considering the complex nature of the issues involved in this proceeding, this Court had offered the services of a Lawyer to the respondent since he was earlier represented by an Amicus Curiae in the proceeding before the learned Single Judge. However, the said offer of this Court had been declined by the respondent stating that he would prefer to argue the case himself.

4. The facts of the case, briefly stated, are as follows :-

(i) The respondent was initially appointed as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) of Tezpur University vide order dated 21/10/2009. Thereafter, the respondent was promoted as the Head of Department (HoD