ORDER :- In January 1954, the petitioner was an Assistant Bridge Inspector in the employ of the Southern Railway. Under the rules then in force disciplinary action against such an employee could be taken in one of the following ways :

1. Under R. 148 of the Railway Establishment Code his services could be terminated by notice (or salary in lieu of notice) of a specified duration;

2. One or more of the punishments enumerated in Chap. 17 of the Railway Establishment Code could be imposed on him for misconduct proved in the manner provided in the chapter;

3. Under the Railway Services (Safeguarding of National Security) Rules, 1949, his services could be terminated for what has been described as subversive activities.

2. On 25-1-1954 the General Manager of the Southern Railway wrote to the petitioner intimating him that it was proposed to take action against him under the Railway Services (Safeguarding of National Security) Rules, and requiring him to say whether he wished to proceed on such leave as was due to him. On 18-2-1954 the petitioner replied that he was surprised at the communication that had been sent to him, that he was ignorant of the grounds on which it was proposed