The prayer in this writ petition is to quash the order dated 8. 1990 of the first respondent confirming the order passed by the second respondent dated 12. 1987, wherein the order passed by the third respondent dated 27. 1986 was confirmed and to direct the respondents to reinstate the petitioner in service with all benefits.

2. The case of the petitioner is that while he was working as Junior Engineer (O&M) at the office in Kambainallur, he was placed under suspension on the ground that he had demanded and accepted illegal gratification from certain persons for extension of electricity supply to their agricultural pumpsets. The Divisional Engineer, Dharmapuri, issued a memo on 28. 1981, for which the petitioner submitted his explanation on 30.11.1981 and denied the irregularities and requested to drop further actions. The said explanation having been found not satisfactory, a regular charge memo was issued on 111. 1982, which contains five charges. The said charges amount to misconduct as per Clause 30(V) of the Standing Orders and the petitioner was directed to submit his explanation to the charges. On 22. 1982, petitioner submitted his explanation for the charge memo