SWAMINATHAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA; GENERAL MANAGER, CIRCLE OFFICE, CANARA BANK; GENERAL MANAGER / DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CANARA BANK; CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, CANARA BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The short facts of the case are as follows:-

(2.) The petitioner additionally added that due to his dedicated service, the said Mukkanamalaipettai Branch was upgraded to 'A' - Grade category. Hence, the superiors have awarded him cups and medals in various fields. In deposit mobilization contest, he secured first prize of Rs.1,000/- in the rural category. The Higher Officers of the Bank have appreciated his loyal service and put him up to undergo NABARD Training Programme at Mangalore. Observing his good performance and gaining the appreciation of his superiors, the then Manager, through sheer jealousy made an anonymous petition and arranged his transfer to Kanpur. The Head Officer of Canara Bank intervened in this matter and re-transferred him to Birhana Branch, and at this point of time, the Birhana Branch status was "C" Grade and also classified as a non performing Bank. Nevertheless due to his sincerity and hard work, the said Branch had been upgraded to "B" Grade. Furthermore, within six months, he had mobilized Rs.1 Crore 18 Lakhs to the said Branch. In view of his outstanding service, the Regional Head Office transferred him to his native place i.e., Nagapattinam, wherein he once again rendered maximum good service with enthusiasm and without any blemish whatsoever, where he received the appreciation from the customers and general public. Further, he had saved the Branch from time barred A.O.D accounts by duly obtaining the signatures from the borrowers. In this manner, he had saved several lakhs of rupees to the Bank, and in all this endevaour, he had worked for extended hours in his job at the Bank.

(3.) The petitioner further submits that he had been transferred to a nearby branch at Thevur, wherein, he had joined as an Officer, and at this point of time, the condition of the Bank was in a shabby state. However, due to his untiring efforts, he had rescued the Branch by mobilizing Rs.69 Lakhs, over and above the stipulated target fixed by the Regional Officer. After recognizing that the Thevur Branch was literally resurrected into an ongoing successful branch, the Regional Office was pleased to issue him a "red salute". The Thevur Branch was upgraded from B to B Plus category. After recognizing his excellent performance, the then Executive Officials, viz., Mr.Anbalagan and Mr.Lakshminarayanan have made their personal visits to the Bank and showered appreciation upon him and recorded this appreciation into the " Visit Book" maintained by the Branch of the said Bank. Besides in the Regional Review Meeting at Trichy, he was congratulated by the higher officials in the presence of one and all. Once again, an animosity creeped against him; therefore, in order to tarnish his good name an anonymous petition was levelled against him which resulted in his transfer to Rewa of Bhopal. Thereafter, he was transferred from Rewa to Kohe-Fiza, Bhopal.