SANKARANARAYANAN M Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner joined as cashier in the ramanathapuram Branch of State Bank of India in the year 1961. After various promotions, he was lastly promoted as Chief Manager during february, 1998 while he was working in madurai Main Branch. He was transferred to tuticorin Branch where he worked from June 10, 1994 to June 15, 1996. Thereafter, he was transferred to the main branch of State Bank of india at Chennai during February, 1998. It appears that on February 9, 1998, while the petitioner was on transfer to Chennai, a letter was issued by the Assistant General Manager, madurai levelling certain allegations and thereby called the petitioner to submit his explanation. An explanation, dated February 20, 1998, was submitted denying the allegations. The petitioner was suspended on March 12, 1998, but no further action was taken.

(2.) ON the eve of the retirement of the petitioner, he was issued with the chargesheets, dated February 3, 1999, and February 11, 1999, containing the following charges:

(3.) THE petitioner submitted his explanations, dated February 6, 1999 and february 12, 1999 denying all the charges. Not satisfied with the explanations, an enquiry was initiated and while the enquiry was pending, in exercise of powers under Rule 20 (B) of the state Bank of India (Supervising Staff) Service rule read with Rule 19 (3) of State Bank of India officers Service Rules, the petitioner was allowed to retire without prejudice to the enquiry. After enquiry, the enquiry officer submitted his report, dated November 11, 1999 in respect of the charge-sheet, dated February 3, 1999 holding that the charge Nos. 1 (a) and (z) were partly proved, charge No. 1 (b) was not proved and the remaining charges were proved. He also submitted another report, dated november 13, 1999 in respect of the charge-sheet, dated February 11, 1999, holding that the charge was proved. Not satisfied with the explanations, by an order, dated August 8, 2000, the petitioner was imposed with the punishment or dismissal from service in terms of Rule 67 (j) of State Bank of india Officers Service Rules. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner preferred an appeal to the appellate committee, and the same was rejected on May 10, 2001. The order was communicated to the petitioner vide letter of the deputy-General Manager (Appeals and review), dated May 14, 2001. Questioning both the orders, the present writ petition has been filed.