Permod Kohli, J.

1. Questioning the validity, legality and propriety of the order No. 889 dated 25.9.2001 (Annexure P-15) relieving the petitioner from service of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the petitioner has filed this writ petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India. It may be useful to briefly refer to the factual background of the case as emerged from the record.

2. The respondent-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is a statutory body constituted under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 (Punjab Act No. 8 of 1925). The petitioner was engaged/appointed as an Assistant Ragi on 1.12.1974 and came to be confirmed as such vide order No. 860 dated 1.1.1975 (Annexure P-1) passed by the Assistant Manager, Sri Darbar Saheb, Sri Amritsar with effect from the date of his appointment. He was later on appointed as a Jathedar Ragi vide order No. 295 dated 5.6.1980 passed by the Addl. Manager, Sri Darbar Saheb, Sri Amritsar (Annexure P-2). While serving in the said capacity, the petitioner applied for leave vide his application dated 2.4.2001 (Annexure P- 3) for going abroad from 2.5.2001 to 31.10.2001. He also indicated his address abroad. The applicat