Srinivasan, J.

The question that arises in this petition is whether the petitioner is entitled to the protection of Art. 311 of the Constitution. The petitioner was appointed to act as the branch postmaster, Kilayur, Nagapattinam, with effect from 6 February, 1949, by the Superintendent of Post Offices, East Thanjavur Division. On 12 October, 1955, the Inspector of Post Offices, Nagapattinam, issued an order that

"pending further enquiries into the complaint of alleged non-payment of a money order payable to Smt. Jaithoon Bivi, Kilayur, Sri V. Subbarayalu, branch postmaster, is temporarily kept out of employment with effect from the afternoon of 12 October 1955." *

The petitioner claims that he repudiated the suggestion that he was responsible for the non-payment of the money order and demanded an enquiry. No enquiry was however held. He corresponded with the Inspector of Post Offices and was informed by that officer that the matter had been referred to the Superintendent of Post Offices, East Thanjavur Division, and that he would be communicated with in due course. But, immediately upon this letter, and order was received by him from the Superintendent of Post Offices,