The petitioner was working as a Deputy Tahsildar in the Taluk Office at Karur. He was given a charge memo under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules on 19. 1997, to which, he gave his explanation on 211. 1997. An enquiry officer was appointed to go into the charges. The Karur District Backward Class and Minority Welfare Officer, by his report dated 13. 1998 enquired into the charges and found the petitioner guilty of all the charges except Charge No.2. Even with reference to charge No.2, the Enquiry Officer said that the charge is of a general nature and, therefore, that cannot be held to be a charge.

2. After the receipt of the enquiry report, the petitioner was furnished with a copy of the Enquiry Report and was given a charge memo by the District Collector – second respondent, dated 24. 1998 to appear before him on 15. 1998 for a personal hearing. The petitioner was asked to offer his explanation, if any, before the disciplinary authority. The petitioner accordingly appeared before the said authority and gave a statement. Subsequently, the enquiry was postponed to 15. 1998. On that day, the petitioner appeared before the District