1. The short question, which is of general importance, that arises for our consideration is whether the State Administrative Tribunal constituted under the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 (‘the act’ for brevity) has jurisdiction to condone the delay in filing the review petition, notwithstanding the negative language voiced in Rule 19 of A.P. Administrative Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 1989.

2. The facts germane to the reference before the Full Bench in Writ Petition may be stated in nutshell as under:

The petitioner while working as Deputy Inspector of Schools was placed under suspension pending enquiry on 3.9.1986. He filed R.P.No.2009 of 1988, which was disposed of on 19.12.1988 with a direction that the enquiry should be completed within three months or else he should be reinstated. He was reinstated into service on 21.2.1989 and also retired from service on reaching the age of superannuation on 31.1.1992 as per the order passed by the Regional Joint Director of School Education, Warangal dated 27 .1.1992. The said order recites that petitioner was permitted to retire on the after noon of 31.1.1992 without prejudice to the right of the department to take disciplin