KRISHAN DEV PURI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner, who was working as an accountant at the Branch Office of the Punjab National Bank, Pathankot, was discharged from service on 30th September, 1975. The Personnel Committee of the Bank decided that the petitioner should be discharged for writing threatening letters to the Regional Manager in highly offensive language and also on account of unsatisfactory performance and past bad record. One month's salary in lieu of notice was also offered to him by the Bank. On November 24, 1975, the petitioner's appeal against the order of discharge was dismissed by Chief Personnel, Head Office.

(2.) THE petitioner appeared in person. As the arguments proceeded, I found that the central question for decision was whether the order of discharge was punitive in character and mala fide. For this decision it was necessary to bring out all the facts cogently which of was beyond the capacity of the petitioner. The decision also called for the analysis of the case law on the question of discharge simpliciter and its application to the facts of the present case. I, therefore, offered the assistance of an advocate as an amicus curiae but the petitioner was not inclined and preferred to argue the matter himself.

(3.) THE impugned order is challenged on the following grounds :