GAUTAM DHAR Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present petition, the petitioner seeks setting aside of the order dated 17th October, 2013 passed by the Appellate Authority of the respondent Bank on the basis of the enquiry report dated 31st December, 2012 and the order dated 27th April, 2013, whereby a major penalty of compulsory retirement was imposed on the petitioner.

(2.) Briefly stated, the facts as culled out from the petition are that the petitioner had joined the service of the respondent, State Bank of India as CCT on 14th December, 1984. He was thereafter promoted as Senior Assistant, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) in 2008 and Assistant Manager in 2010.

(3.) It is stated that while service in the Bank, one Shri S.H. Leo, an investigation officer of the respondent Bank surprisingly conducted a preliminary enquiry in 2012 at Zunheboto Branch against the petitioner, amongst others, regarding a fake transaction which had taken place on 23rd February, 2012 at Zunheboto Branch, whereby a huge sum of Rs. 1,29,17,000/- (Rupees One Crore Twenty Nine Lakhs and Seventeen Thousand only) had been paid to a third person namely; Mr. Hotokhu Aye, from the account of the Deputy Inspector of School, Kanpur, Utter Pradesh vide Account No. 10321911051 maintained at Swaroopnagar Branch, Kanpur, Utter Pradesh in favour of three newly opened account holders, namely, (i) Ms Abikali Achumi Account No. 31639151625 (ii) Mrs. Zhetoli Account No. 31729456535 and (iii) Mrs. H. Toheli Sumi Account No. 31890329563.