Raveendran, C.J. -- The petitioner was appointed as an Unskilled Labourer on, 26.12.1976. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him in regard to a charge of making bogus LTC claim without actually undertaking the journey, culminating in imposition of punishment of compulsory retirement by order dated 2.7.1994, which was affirmed by the Appellate Authority. That was challenged by the petitioner in O.A. No. 124 of 1997 before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Bench Jabalpur. The Tribunal by order dated 1.11.2002 disposed of the matter with a direction to the Appellate Authority only to reconsider the case of the petitioner in regard to quantum of punishment on the ground that in the case of some similarly placed the employees, a penalty of compulsory retirement had been reduced to a lesser penalty. In pursuance of the &aid order, the Appellate Authority reconsidered the matter and passed the following order on 28.1.2003:

"........ In deference to the observations made by CAT regarding differential treatment meted out to the appellant, the undersigned has re-appreciated the case and after proper examination has decided to moderate the penalty of compulsory r