K.K. SASIDHARAN, J

This writ petition is directed against the order dated 2 January, 2008 in W.P.No.11308 of 2006 whereby and whereunder, the order imposing punishment on the first respondent was quashed.

THE FACTS IN OUTLINE

2. The first respondent joined the service of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, in the year 1964. He was originally appointed as Junior Assistant at Coimbatore. Subsequently, he was promoted as Divisional Accountant in the year 1973.

3. While the matters stood thus, on 22 June, 1998, one week before his superannuation, he was suspended from service on the ground of alleged commission of irregularity in the matter of cost finalization. The appellant alleged that the first respondent processed the cost finalisation proposal relating to Tatabad Scheme in the year, 1987 and got it approved at the level of Executive Engineer and Administrative Officer, Coimbatore Housing Unit instead of obtaining the approval of the Board and thereby committed grave irregularities in cost finalisation and thus violated Section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board Officers and Servants Conduct Regulations, 1963. It was also alleged that on account of his act of finalisation o