Raveendran, C.J. -- 1. The petitioner was working as an Accountant in the Office of the Conservator of Forests, Bhopal Division. He was caught in a bribery trap laid by the Lokayukta Police. A challan (charge-sheet) under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was submitted before the Special Court, Bhopal on 9.4.2002 charging him with offences punishable under sections 7 and 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Subsequently, he was convicted and sentenced by judgment dated 11.12.2003 in Special Case No.4 of 2002 to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three years and pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- on each score, in default of which to undergo a further imprisonment of one month for each default. The petitioner states that he has challenged the conviction and sentence in Criminal Appeal No. 2156 of 2003 wherein this Court by order dated 26.12.2003, has suspended the execution of sentence of imprisonment.

2. When the charge-sheet was filed in the Special Court, the petitioner was placed under suspension on 24.4.2002. When he was convicted, on the basis of such conviction on a criminal charge, the petitioner was dismissed from service without hold