1. Heard Shri Vishal Agarwal, learned counsel for the petitioner and Ms. Divya Chaurasiya, learned counsel holding brief of Shri Siddharth Singhal, learned counsel for the respondents through video conferencing.

2. The petition is being decided of at the admission stage, as per rules, on the consent of the parties.

3. Petitioner a Cashier (SR No. 249026) at Branch Office, Gola in Lucknow Division, had to face departmental enquiry. A charge-sheet dated 21 November 2016, was issued by the third respondent-Senior Division Manager, Divisional Officer, Hazratganj, Lucknow (Disciplinary Authority). Petitioner was charged with six charges with allegations of committing financial irregularities and embezzlement. The charges briefly stated is as follows:

i. that petitioner while posted as Cashier in Branch Office, Palia, District Lakhimpur Kheri misused official position and misappropriated eight cheques favouring "L.I.C. of India" thereby facilitating siphoning of funds and misused it for the benefit of himself, his wife and persons not related to genuine policy holders;

ii. that petitioner in connivance with the record Clerk, Shri Anand Kumar (SR No. 254146) while performing duties as Of