The prayer in this writ petition is to quash the order passed by the second respondent dated 18. 1998 confirmed by the first respondent in his proceedings dated 12. 1998 with all consequential service and monetary benefits.

2. By the impugned order passed by the second respondent, the petitioner, who is working as a Police Constable, Armed Reserve, Karur is imposed with a punishment of stoppage of increment for one year without cumulative effect on the charge of his highly reprehensible conduct in having assaulted Police Constable (P.C.No.3091) named Murugan on 23. 1998 at 21.30 hours and caused bleeding injuries on his lips and thereby involved in Vangal Police Station Crime No.179 of 1998 under Sections 341 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code. The said order is challenged on the ground that he was served with a charge memo under Rule 3(b) of the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the "Rules) by the first respondent on 4. 1998 by stating the above said charge and by proceedings dated 14. 1998, the petitioner was given seven days time to submit his explanation to the above charge and before receiving the expl