K.G. Balakrishnan, J.

This appeal is preferred by the State challenging the judgment of the learned Single Judge in O.P. No. 13195/95. The respondent herein was the Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch CID, Kozhikode.

Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him and Ext. P4 memo of charges was served on him. The respondent submitted a detailed explanation wherein he denied all allegations in the memo of charges. Initially there was a vigilance enquiry. That was followed by an oral enquiry as contemplated under the Kerala Police Departmental Inquiries, Punishment and Appeal Rules, 1958 and Ext. P7 order was passed by the government. In Ext. P7, it was stated that while the respondent was working as Deputy Superintendent of Police, Malappuram, he sold a car to one M.C. Ahmmedkutty who was a resident of that district, and thereby committed violation of R.24 of the Kerala Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1960 and a penalty of withholding of increment for a period of one year without cumulative effect was imposed oh the respondent.

2. The respondent challenged Ext. P7 on various grounds. He contended that he had no notice of any specific charge against him and that t