JUDGMENT :

Heard the parties.

2. The petitioner has challenged the decision contained in letter dated 12.2.2015 (Annexure-16) by which punishment of stoppage of two increment with cumulative effect and censure has been passed against the petitioner. The petitioner has also challenged the appellate order contained in letter dated 17.8.2015 by which the appeal preferred by him has been rejected.

Factual Matrix

3. The petitioner was appointed in the year 1981 as Assistant Engineer in P.W.D. Department under the administrative control of Road Construction Department, Ranchi. While the petitioner was posted as Sub-Divisional Officer, Building Division No.1, Ranchi, a first information report, being Vigilance Case No. 29 of 1999 was lodged against eight accused persons including the petitioner on the basis of written report of Additional Secretary dated 28.9.1999, Building Construction Department, Bihar, Patna regarding grave irregularities in construction work of Mines and Geology Office Building, Doranda, Ranchi. The allegations are that on 14.3.1988, the Joint Secretary, Mines & Geology Department of the then Government of Bihar, Patna sanctioned Rs.29,85,800/- for construction of the Com