SUBHA MUKHERJEE Vs. UCO BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule D.B.

(2.) We have heard learned counsel for the parties at length and, hence, we proceed to decide the writ petition finally.

(3.) Petitioner Subha Mukherjee joint UCO Bank as a Clerk on 13.6.1966. She was promoted as an Officer, Junior Management Scale-I on 1.7.1976. On 1.7.1983 she was promoted to the rank of Officer, Middle Management Scale-11. She is working as an Officer at Nehru Place Branch of the respondent in New Delhi. On 24.1.1994 she has been charge-sheeted as regards her conduct in the remittance dated 19.2.1990 in respect of the amount of Rs.26,17,50,000.00. The petitioner has denied and disputed the charges levelled against her by filing her reply on 3.5.1994. Thereafter, the appointing authority was pleased to proceed with a departmental proceeding against her and accordingly appointed an Enquiry Officer and one Shri P.K. Bandopadhyay as a Presenting Office in the said departmental proceeding. Petitioner had given an application -cum-letter on 24.8.1994 seeking permission to engage a legal practioner. Her application had been rejected by order dated 27.8.94 and, therefore, she has come in writ jurisdiction before this Court. It is her contention that the order rejecting her prayer for being represented by a legal practioner is illegal as well as against the principles of natural justice. She has, therefore, prayed for setting aside of the said order and to allow her to engage a legal practioner in the sa?d disciplinary proceedings.