CWP (T) No. 2493/2008 2.3.2009: Present: Mr. Trilok Jamwal, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. R.K. Sharma, Sr. Addl. A.G. with Mr. Rajinder Dogra, Additional Advocate General and Mr. Vikas Rathore, Deputy Advocate General for the respondents. The disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioner. The Disciplinary Authority had imposed the penalty of stoppage of one increment with cumulative effect on 25.7.1992. The petitioner preferred an appeal against the imposition of this penalty to the Financial Commissioner (Revenue). The same was also rejected by him on 21.12.1994. A bare perusal of office order dated 21.12.1994 discloses non-application of mind. The order dated 21.12.1994 is a non-speaking order. It is settled law by now that the appellate order must be a speaking order as has repeatedly been held by their Lordships of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Narinder Mohan Arya Versus United India Insurance Co. Ltd. and Others, (2006) 4 SCC 713, State of Uttaranchal and Others versus Kharak Singh (2008) 8 SCC 236 and in a latest judgment rendered in Roop Singh Negi versus Punjab National Bank & Others, 2009 (1) Scale, 284. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. The office order dated 24.12.1994 is quashed and set aside. The appellate authority is directed to re-hear the appeal within a period of eight weeks from today. The appellate authority shall afford personal hearing to the petitioner. Needless to add that the order to be passed by the appellate authority shall be a speaking and reasoned one. There shall, however, be no order as to costs. (Rajiv Sharma), March 2, 2009 Judge. *Awasthi*