P.V. Asha, J.

1. The petitioner, who was working as Area Manager in the Marketing Division of the 1st respondent, is aggrieved by the punishment of removal awarded to him and the rejection of appeal filed against it.

2. The Deputy General Manager (Marketing) of the 1st respondent issued Ext.P1(a) order, placing the petitioner under suspension, in contemplation of disciplinary proceedings against him. It was followed by Ext.P1(b) memo of charges, issued on 02.02.2012, proposing to hold an enquiry under rule 26 of FACT Employees (Conduct, Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1997 for managerial personnel. Petitioner was directed to submit written statement of defence within a period of 10 days. In the articles of charges annexed to it, it was alleged that petitioner, while functioning as Area Manager (Karnataka) conspired with Sri. V. Murali Nair, the then Dy. GM, for the purpose of transferring Sri. Thotaphani, the then Sr. Regional Manager (Bangalore) out of Karnataka State; he instructed M/s. G. Venkata Reddy, the then Sr. Sales Officer (Bangalore), K.R. Rao, Asst. Manager (Sales) Tumkur, P.C. Ramalingappa, the then Asst. Manager (Sales) Mysore and B.B. Gangadharaiah, the then Sal