I.P. SINGH Vs. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Vide order dated 24th September, 1999, the Zonal Manager of the Respondent No. 1-Bank (referred to, hereinafter, as "the Bank"), in his capacity as Disciplinary Authority, imposed, on the petitioner, a major penalty of reduction to a lower post, i.e. from MMG (Middle Management Grade) Scale-II to JMG (Junior Management Grade), Scale-I, with immediate effect. Vide orders dated 30th March, 2000, and 8th August, 2000, the appeal and review, preferred by the petitioner against the aforesaid order dated 24th September, 1999, were rejected by the General Manager and the Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank, in their capacities as the appellate and reviewing authorities.

(2.) Assailing these orders, the petitioner has invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction, of this Court, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

(3.) The petitioner, who was, during the tenure of lapses as alleged, working as the Branch Manager with the respondent Bank's B.B. Nagar Branch, Bulandsahar, was visited with a charge-sheet, dated 12th August, 1994. The charge-sheet alleged commission of misconduct, by the petitioner, in terms of the Regulation 3(1) read with Regulation 24 of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) Officers, Employees' (Conduct) Regulations, 1977, and contained four Articles of Charge. The petitioner was directed to respond to the said chargesheet within 15 days.