IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CIVIL WRIT JURISDICTION CASE No.7304 of 2009 Bal Krishna Kumar Verma Versus The State Of Bihar & Ors For the Petitioner: Mr. Abhay Shanker Singh, Adv. For the State : Mr. Shivam Singh, Adv. 3/ 02/08/2011 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State. The petitioner is aggrieved by the order of punishment dated 8.8.2008 as affirmed in appeal on 24.11.2008 in a departmental proceeding. It visits him with the punishment of (a) stoppage of three increments with non-cumulative effect and reverting him to a lower pay-scale, (b) stoppage of all promotions, (c) nothing beyond subsistence allowance shall be payable for the period of suspension, but which shall otherwise be counted for the purpose of pension. The petitioner was proceeded with on three charges. He was exonerated on charges-1 and 2. The third charge did not record a conclusive finding of guilt. It was left at the stage of conjectures. It appears from the order of punishment that a second show cause notice dated 21.5.2008 recording a difference of opinion with the report of exoneration was given, duly replied to, whereafter the order of punishment has been passed. To that extent, there may not be occasion for the Court to interfere. But the Court finds that the appellate order 2 is completely non-reasoned and non-speaking. Even an appellate order of affirmance is required to be briefly indicating the independent application of mind by the appellate authority. Otherwise, the appellate jurisdiction is rendered illusory. An order of affirmance does not require a detailed order, but only a brief discussion to show independent application of mind to the charges, the findings, the grounds in the appeal to arrive at a fresh conclusion. The appellate order dated 24.11.2008 is accordingly set aside and the matter is remanded to the appellate authority to pass a fresh reasoned order in accordance with law after considering all the materials that the petitioner may rely upon. He may supplement his memo. of appeal. Let such fresh order be passed within a maximum period of two months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. The writ application is disposed. KC ( Navin Sinha, J.)