ORDER :

The order passed in a Mercy Petition in proceedings dated 29.08.2018, is under challenge in the present writ petition.

2. The writ petitioner joined in the Fire and Rescue Services in the year 1974. He was promoted as Driver in the year 1981. A criminal case was registered against the writ petitioner in Crime No. 79 of 2007 and the petitioner was arrayed as Accused No. 3 in the said case.

3. The allegation in the criminal case was that one Mr. Umanath was killed in a temple festival by a mob consisting several persons, in which the petitioner is also alleged to be a member. The Trial Court convicted the petitioner to undergo life imprisonment. The criminal appeal filed by the writ petitioner before the High Court was dismissed. Meanwhile, the competent authorities issued a show cause notice under Rule 17(c) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules and thereafter, imposed the punishment of dismissal from service with effect from 26.08.2009. The petitioner preferred an appeal before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India acquitted the writ petitioner from the criminal charges. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the comp