SURENDRA KUMAR THAKUR Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India impugns the order of removal from service dated December 16, 2002 (Annexure P-26).

(2.) The facts in nutshell are that the petitioner was initially appointed on the post of Assistant (Cash and Accounts) in the State Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as "SBI"), vide order dated October 9, 1995 and he was posted at Sukma, District-Dantewada. The respondents /Bank received a complaint from one Smt. Rukmini Bai (hereinafter referred to as "the complainant") that a sum of Rs. 10,000/- has been withdrawn from her Account No. 01190010093 of Kirandul Branch of SBI. In the complaint, it was stated that, in the meantime, she was threatened by the cashier that she would go to jail if she refused to sign on the withdrawal slip. It was further stated that one bank security guard came with one blank slip for obtaining her signature, which she declined to do.

(3.) On the basis of the said complaint, the Branch Manager, Kirandul issued a memo to the petitioner seeking details and clarification of the alleged withdrawal of Rs. 10, 000/- on March 18, 2000 from the account of the complainant. The petitioner submitted his reply on January 1, 2000 vide Annexure P-3, stating that the petitioner does not remember as to whether the account holder was having pass book at the time of submitting withdrawal slip. However, the petitioner admitted that he knew the complainant, as his residence was in the same block, where the complainant was living.