( 1 ) THIS petition has a chequered history. The petitioner initially joined as Godown Clerk in the ministry of Food and Agriculture, Department of Food and was subsequently absorbed in Food corporation of India in which he earned promotion as Assistant Manager (Depot) and came to be posted at Etah on 12. 7. 1982. On 25. 7. 1984 he joined as Assistant Manager (Depot) on G. A. P. storage at Airstrip, Lalitpur having storage capacity of one lakh metric tone under the District manager, Food Corporation of India. Jhansi. On 1. 10. 1985 he proceeded on leave on receipt of a message about serious condition of his mother who died on 4. 10. 1985 at Tundla (Agra) and was on leave up to 30. 10. 1985 and joined his duties on 31. 10. 1985 after expiry of the leave period. It appears that there was heavy rains during October, 1985 in which the wheat stored at the airstrip, Lalitpur was damaged resulting in huge financial losses to the Corporation. The petitioner was placed under suspension vide order dated 12. 4. 1986 and on 10. 4. 1987 he was served with the charge sheet dated 3. 3. 1987. The charges against the petitioner were as under :

"shri N. K. Jain. Assistant Manager (Dep