By the Court.—Heard learned counsel for petitioner and perused the records.

2. This writ petition has been filed by petitioner seeking a writ of certiorari quashing order dated 21.3.2006 passed by respondent No. 2, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of U.P, whereby petitioner has been punished by reducing one rank i.e from the post of Deputy Director (Social Welfare) to the post of Additional District Development Officer (Social Welfare).

3. Sri Umesh Narain Sharma, Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Jitendra Kumar, Advocate, counsel for petitioner contended that before imposing such major penalty, no oral enquiry was conducted inasmuchas charge-sheet was issued to petitioner to which reply was given and thereafter enquiry report was submitted. Then notice was given to petitioner and thereafter impugned punishment order has been passed.

4. Petitioner was initially appointed as District Social Welfare Officer after his selection by U.P. Public Service Commission (U.P.P.S.C) in the year 1977. He was promoted to the post of Additional District Development Officer (Social Welfare) in October,1980 and further promoted to the post of Deputy Director (Socia