1. The prayer in the writ petition is to quash the order of punishment imposed against the petitioner postponing the increment for one year with cumulative effect by order dated 3.4.2006 of the first respondent, confirmed in appeal by the second respondent by order dated 22.5.2006 and modified in review as postponement of increment for one year without cumulative effect by order dated 1.2.2007 of the third respondent.

2. The brief facts necessary for disposal of the writ petition are as follows:

(a) Petitioner was recruited as Grade-II Police Constable in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Battalion and posted at Kovaipudur, Coimbatore, on 24.5.1999 after being selected by the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board. After the institutional training, petitioner opted to serve in the Radio Telephone Branch (signal group). Petitioner was promoted as Nayak in the said branch in January, 2003 and further promoted as Havildar during December, 2006. It is claimed that the petitioner has received more than 35 rewards and has no adverse remarks.

(b) While the petitioner was serving as Havildar in the Tamil Nadu Special Police 4th Battalion, Kovaipudur, Coimbatore, he was allo