1. The challenge in this writ petition is to the order of dismissal passed by the first respondent dated 16.11.2010 in GO [3D] No.196 Agri VN 17 Department, dismissing the petitioner from service with a prayer to quash the same and to direct the respondents to settle all the retirement benefits to the petitioner.

2.a. The case of the petitioner is that he had entered into the service of the 1st respondent Department in the year 1969 and he was promoted as Assistant Director of Agriculture in the year 1992. At the time of his verge of retirement on 31.10.2005, he was suspended as per the order dated 28.10.2005 and he was also not allowed to retire from service as per another order passed on the same day, i.e, on 28.10.2005.

2.b. The petitioner was served with a charge memo dated 28.04.2003 containing the following charges:-

[a] The petitioner being the former Assistant Director of Agriculture, Udumalpet, in connivance with his subordinate officer, one K.P.Muthusamy, who was working as Agricultural Development Officer, Udumalpet, misused the relief fund granted on account of drought to the agriculturists who are cultivating coconuts, for their personal benefits and there was