O R D E R [ ORAL ]

Per- Sunil Kumar Sinha, Member (Admn.)

OA is at notice stage hearing. Mr. H.P.Singh, ld. Sr. SC and Mr. Sarvdev Singh, ld. SC assisted by Mr. A.K.Sharma and Mr.

Sanjay Kumar have appeared on behalf of respondent no. 1 & 2 and 3 to 6 respectively having received advance copy of OA.

2. Applicant in this OA is an IPS Officer of Bihar Cadre and 2010 batch, presently working as Superintendent of Police, Khagaria. Applicant is aggrieved by the order of Home Department, Government of Bihar dated 22.12.2023 imposing punishment of “reduction to a lower stage in the time scale of pay by one stage for a period of one year without cumulative effect.” Applicant was issued charge memorandum under Rule 8 of the All India (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 on 26.12.2019 alleging unprofessional and irresponsible conduct in investigation of a serious crime. The applicant submitted defence statement and considering his statement, Department of Home (Police) appointed the Chief Inquiry Commissioner as the Inquiry Officer to conduct the inquiry. The Chief Inquiry Commissioner submitted inquiry report on 14.02.2022 holding all the three article of charges as not substantiated. Disagreei