P.N. Ravindran, J.

1. The petitioner is a former employee of the third respondent co-operative society. He entered service as a Lower Division Clerk on 15.4.1960 and attained the age of superannuation on 31.8.1998. He was a member of the Employees Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 with effect from 1.2.1966.

2. While the petitioner was working as Branch Manager, a theft occurred in the Othara branch where the petitioner was working, on 10.6.1994. By order passed on 25.6.1994 the petitioner was placed under suspension and disciplinary action was initiated against him. Later, by order passed on 28.8.1996, he was dismissed from service. The petitioner unsuccessfully challenged the order of dismissal from service in appeal before the Managing Committee of the third respondent society. He thereafter unsuccessfully moved the Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies under rule 176 of the Kerala Cooperative Societies Act, 1969. His appeal to the Government was also dismissed. He, thereupon, filed O.P.No.1713 of 2000 in this Court. Though by judgment delivered on 20.3.2001 the learned single judge was pleased to set aside the order of dismissal from service for procedural lapses, the