Challenging an order of dismissal, originally the petitioner has filed O.A.No.1414 of 2001 on the file of the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal and on transfer to this court, it was taken up as the writ petition.

2. The writ petition challenges an order of dismissal passed by the first respondent on 111. 2000, pursuant to the domestic enquiry.

.3. The court heard the learned counsel on either side. The short facts necessary for the disposal of the writ petition can be stated thus:

.The petitioner was working as Warden in Central Prison, Trichy. On 24. 1999, an incident took place, in which the petitioner was found in possession of 400 grams of Kanja, following which a charge memo was issued under Rule 17(b) of Conduct Rules by the Superintendent, Central Prison, Trichy. Apart from that, a criminal case came to be registered against the petitioner in Crime No.96 of 1999. The case was being tried before the criminal court and it ended in acquittal. Even before the criminal proceedings came to an end, an explanation was called for, explanation was tendered, charges were framed, enquiry was conducted and on 111. 2000, the petitioner was terminated from service on record