1. The petitioner joined the service as Grade II Police Constable in 27.12.1985. He was a Grade I Police Constable at the relevant point of time, when he was issued with a charge memo dated 20.10.19997 under Rule 3(b) of the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1955.

2. It is relevant to extract the following passage in the charge memo dated 20.10.1997 :

“TAMIL”

3. The disciplinary action resulted in passing of the punishment order dated 29.07.1998 by the first respondent imposing the punishment of reduction in time-scale by two stages for two years with cumulative effect. The appeal preferred against the aforesaid order was dismissed by the second respondent by the order dated 15.10.1998. The review petition made to the third respondent was dismissed on 29.01.1999. Again, the petitioner approached the fourth respondent with a Mercy Petition on 09.01.2002. The fourth respondent also rejected the same in his order dated 18.02.2002. Ultimately, the fifth respondent also passed the order in G.O.(2D)No.349, Home (Pol.VI) Department, dated 10.10.2002 confirming the order of punishment.

4. The petitioner filed the original application questioning the aforesaid orders before t