1. - Shri Chandra Mohan Vyas husband of petitioner No.1 was in employment of the respondents as Compounder and was subjected to disciplinary proceedings under a memorandum dated 5.3.1987 issued by the disciplinary authority while exercising powers under Rule 16 of Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1958. The memorandum was supported by a charge-sheet and a statement of allegations relating to 13 misconducts. An explanation was submitted by the delinquent employee and after considering the same, under an order dated 24.2.1992, an Enquiry Officer was appointed to enquire into the allegations levelled.

2. The delinquent employee submitted several representations to the disciplinary authority as well as to enquiry officer with the assertion that he was facing criminal charges too for the same allegations as under adjudication in disciplinary action, therefore, the disciplinary proceedings be kept in2 abeyance till completion of the criminal case. The demand made by the delinquent was not accepted and the Enquiry Officer after going through certain official record, submitted his report to the disciplinary authority on 15.12.1999. After a lapse of