Hon’ble Yashwant Varma, J.—The petitioner, a Senior Assistant in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies has sought to assail the validity of the order dated 22.5.2007 passed by the respondent No. 3 as affirmed in appeal by the respondent No. 2 vide is order dated 25.2.2009. In terms of the impugned order and consequent to culmination of the disciplinary proceedings taken against him he has been inflicted the following punishments:

(a) A recovery of Rs. 59927/- on account of excess withdrawal from the G.P.F. Account.

(b) Recovery of a sum of Rs. 412789.68/- from him;

(c) the stoppage of one increment with cumulative effect.

(d) the recordal of an adverse entry in the character roll of the petitioner.

2. This order passed by the respondent No. 3 has been affirmed by the respondent No. 2 acting as the Appellate Authority under the relevant rules.

3. This Court has heard Shri Adarsh Bhushan in support of the writ petition and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the State respondents.

4. The salient facts which may be noticed and as would be relevant for disposal of the instant writ petition are as follows. The petitioner