JUDGMENT:

Heard Mr. R. Sarma, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner. Also heard Mr. S. Nath, learned counsel appearing for the respondent Nos.2 to 6. Mr. S. S. Roy, learned Central Govt. Counsel is present on behalf of respondent No.1.

2. The writ petitioner herein is an employee of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI) and is posted as Record Clerk in the Finance & Accounts department of the Divisional Office of the LICI situated at Panbazar, Guwahati. Aggrieved by the order dated 05.07.2016 issued by the Manager (P & IR) i.e. respondent No.6 imposing the penalty of “reduction to minimum of the time scale of pay as applicable to his cadre” and also “for recovery of Rs.1,91,000/-“ upon the petitioner, the instant writ petition has been filed.

3. The facts of the case, in a nutshell, are that, while serving as a Record Clerk in the Finance & Accounts department in the Divisional Office of the LICI at Guwahati, a disciplinary proceeding was initiated against the petitioner on the basis of charge-sheet dated 15.12.2014 levelling the single charge of failure to maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty. An Enquiry Officer was appointed to go into the charge bro