JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Sri Shireesh Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri J.N. Mathur, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Anant Tewari, learned counsel for the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (hereinafter referred to as IIM, Lucknow) and Sri Sudhanshu Chauhan, learned counsel for the Union of India.

2. Under challenge is order dated 25.6.2019 passed by the Board of Governors of IIM, Lucknow as contained in Annexure no. 19 to this writ petition whereby the payment of pension of the petitioner has been stopped holding him disqualified for the pension and its arrears.

3. The brief facts of the case are that IIM, Lucknow invited applications for appointment to the post of Director, IIM, Lucknow and after the search by the competent authorities and with detailed selection procedure the petitioner was found suitable for the appointment to the post of Director, IIM, Lucknow and accordingly a High Level Committee recommended his name for such appointment with approval from the cabinet committee of the appointments. Accordingly, the appointment letter was issued on 28.7.2003 appointing the petitioner as Director, IIM, Lucknow for the period of five years. The petitioner subm