JUDGMENT

Dated this the 22nd day of March, 2021 Challenge has been laid to Ext.P3 certificate and Ext.P8 whereby action for recovery of a sum of Rs.18,540/- against the petitioner was intended to be initiated.

2. The facts leading to filing of the present writ petition are that the petitioner after his retirement as Superintending Engineer by rendering services in Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), was appointed on contract basis for a period of three years commencing from 02.05.2003 as University Engineer which was equivalent to the post of Chief Engineer in Public Works Department of State of Kerala. After completion of contract period which ended in May 2006, on 13.11.2008 petitioner was served with a notice from the Director of Local Fund Audit in respect of audit of accounts for the year 2004-2005 ie., that a sum of Rs.66,889/- was found lost in the funds of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). Along with that an extract of audit report for the year 2004-2005 were also enclosed reflecting excess use of articles for the contract work for maintenance to quarters at ring road and providing clipping carpet in front of Photonics and Central Library at Thrik