JUDGMENT :

1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the order dated 28.05.2022 whereby the petitioner was dismissed from service.

2. The facts, in brief, are that the petitioner was appointed as a Junior Engineer in the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department and subsequently was appointed as an Assistant Engineer at Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. and was serving the post of Executive Engineer, Electricity Civil Distribution Division, Lucknow. It is stated that while the petitioner was posted as an Executive Engineer on 01.04.2021, the petitioner was placed under suspension on the allegation that a news was circulated on the News Channel Bharat Samachar in which an audio clip of the petitioner with a contractor was shown which demonstrated that the petitioner was making illegal demand of money. On 22.05.2021, the petitioner was served with a charge-sheet dated 08.04.2021 wherein a sole charge was levelled against the petitioner with regard to the telecast on the news channel on 01.04.2021 depicting that the petitioner was talking with a contractor wherein the petitioner was demanding illegal gratification from the said contractor. It was stated that the sa