RAVINDER GOSAIN Vs. PUNJAB & SIND BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The challenge in this appeal is against a judgment dated 24th January 2018 of the learned Single Judge disposing of the Appellant's WP (C) 716 of 2018 whereby the Appellant inter alia questioned the penalty imposed on him vide memorandum dated 14th December 2015 issued by the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Respondent Punjab and Sind Bank (hereafter "Bank") of reduction by two stages in the time scale of pay. The Appellant also questioned the order dated 23rd January 2017 whereby his appeal was rejected.

(2.) The background facts are that major penalty proceedings were instituted by the Bank against the Appellant, who was at the relevant time General Manager of the Bank, by a charge-sheet dated 20th December 2012 followed by a memorandum dated 31st December 2012 in relation to lapses/irregularities committed by him in the accounts of M/s.Majestic Hotels (P) Ltd., M/s.Star Biotech and Sh.Naresh Kumar Godown Construction Loan while working as a General Manager at the local head office (LHO), Chandigarh from 27th December 2010 to 17th July 2012. A further charge was concerning his lapses in supervising the affairs of the Branch Office, Sector 24, Chandigarh while working as a Zonal Manager, Zonal Office-I, Chandigarh from 28th February 2009 to 23rd December 2010.

(3.) A departmental enquiry followed. The Enquiry Authority (EA) was an officer of the Central Vigilance Commission. The EA by a letter dated 29th October 2014 submitted his findings. Out of the 30 allegations against the Appellant 17 were held proved, 7 partly proved and 6 were not proved.