RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J.

1. The application, seeking condonation of delay, is not opposed by the learned counsel for the respondents and the delay is, therefore condoned.

2. This appeal is preferred against the order passed by the learned Single Judge in WPSS No. 994 of 2014 dated 07.01.2017. Facts, to the limited extent necessary, are that the petitioner was appointed as a Constable, in the erstwhile Police Armed Constabulary, in the year 1992. He was granted 12 days leave to go to his home station i.e. Kanpur Dehat. Leave was sanctioned to him on 18.07.1992 and, in terms thereof, the appellant-writ petitioner was required to report back for duty at Rudrapur in Nainital District on 31.07.1992. The appellant-writ petitioner, however, chose not to report for duty. Several notices were sent to his home address on 14.08.1992, 26.08.1992, 19.09.1992, 24.09.1992, 21.01.1993, 12.04.1993 & 17.05.1993, and most of these notices remained unserved. Thereafter special messengers were sent to inquire about the whereabouts of the petitioner. In his report, the Dal Naik Sri Raphal Singh stated that the petitioner was not in Kanpur Dehat which was his home address, and for which he had