JUDGMENT :

J.J. MUNIR, J.

1. This writ petition is directed against the order dated 22.06.2023 passed by the Managing Director, Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, Varanasi, reducing the petitioner in rank to the post of a Junior Engineer from an Assistant Engineer, as a measure of penalty, after holding disciplinary proceedings.

2. The facts giving rise to this petition are that the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited [‘Power Corporation’ for short] is a government company under the administrative and financial control of the State Government. The Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited [‘Distribution Corporation’ for short] is a subsidiary company of the Power Corporation incorporated to discharge the functions of electricity supply and distribution to consumers. The petitioner was appointed as a Junior Engineer (Electrical) vide appointment order dated 05.11.2007 in the employ of the Power Corporation. He has rendered continuous service since then. The petitioner was promoted to the post of an Assistant Engineer vide order dated 16.02.2018. During the period of his service, the petitioner has been posted at different stations and was last posted from 07.12.2021 at the Electr