V.S.SINGH Vs. DURG RAJNANDGAON GRAMIN BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this petition, the petitioner seeks to challenge the legality and validity of the order dated 08.01.1998 (Annexure P /19) whereunder a penalty of withholding five annual increments with cumulative effect was imposed on the petitioner by the Disciplinary Authority and the order dated 24.02.1998 (Annexure P/21) whereby the appeal of the petitioner against the order dated 08.01.1998, was rejected by the Chairman of the respondent Bank.

(2.) The petitioner at the relevant time i.e. from 1987 to 1989 was posted as Branch Manager, Branch Kaudikara, Tahsil Chauki, District Rajnandgaon, during which certain allegations were made against him which is evident from the charge sheet dated 19.01.1992 (Annexure P/6). Thereafter, enquiry was held and the petitioner was imposed with the punishment, as aforestated by order dated 08.01.1998 (Annexure P/19).

(3.) Shri Bharat, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that there is no dispute that the charge-sheet did not contain any imputation of charges, list of documents and witnesses. The petitioner, by communicationdated 20.07.1992 (Annexure P/7), requested the Chairman-cumDisciplinary Authority to provide relevant documents in relation to the charges levelled against him. The petitioner, thereafter, on 05.01.1996 (Annexure P/8), during enquiry requested for providing certain documents stating therein that the petitioner would not be in position to reply to the charges unless the said documents asked for was provided. It is not in dispute that the documents were not supplied to the petitioner, however, he was afforded an opportunity to peruse the documents.