JUDGMENT :

R.S. CHAUHAN, J.

1. The Union of India and others have challenged the legality of the order dated 19.3.2019 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad Bench (‘the learned Tribunal’ for short), whereby the learned Tribunal has allowed the O.A. filed by the respondent-applicant (‘the applicant’ for short) and set aside the order dated 3.8.2016, issued by the Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer, South Central Railway, the respondent No. 2 in the O.A. and has further directed the petitioners herein to refund the amount recovered till date from the applicant, and to stop further recovery, if any, with immediate effect.

2. Succinctly stated, the facts of the case are that on 17.7.1980, the applicant was appointed as Typist on the South Central Railways; on 7.6.1982 he was promoted as Clerk Grade-I; on 26.2.1988, he was promoted on the post of Section Officer; and finally on 1.3.1993 he was promoted on the post of Senior Section Officer. During his tenure of service, he worked in the Accounts Department of the Railways. Subsequently, on 14.11.2007, he submitted a technical resignation to the Railways, and joined the Rail-Tel Corporation of India Limited (RCI