JUDGMENT

% 04.03.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J.

1. The petitioner, who belongs to the Indian Civil Accounts Service, was issued a charge-sheet on 5 July 2018 by the Joint Controller General of Accounts (Vigilance), by order and in the name of the President of India, proposing to hold a disciplinary enquiry against him under Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, ["the CCS (CCA) Rules" hereinafter] . The allegations in the charge-sheet pertained to the period during which the petitioner Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed By:AWJIT.P.(C) 12130/2018 Page 1 of 31

was working as Joint Controller General of Accounts (Administration) in the office of the Controller General of Accounts, ["CGA" hereinafter] . For the purposes of the present judgment, and in view of the limited ground canvassed by the petitioner, it is not necessary to refer to the charges against him. 2. Admittedly, the charge-sheet dated 5 July 2018 was, before it was issued to the petitioner, approved by the Minister of State (Finance), ["the MOS" hereinafter], on the basis of the following Office Order dated 3 April 2018, issued by the Joint Secretary to the Government of India