(1.) The petitioner is a retired employee of the respondent no. 1 Bank (hereafter the Bank). While being posted at the Singjamai Branch of the Bank, the petitioner was placed under suspension vide office order dated March 18, 1988 for his involvement in a criminal case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The petitioner was being tried for commission of offence punishable under Sections 420, 467 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 read with Section 5(1)(d) thereof.
(2.) Despite 6 years having lapsed since the petitioner was placed under suspension, the trial could not conclude and accordingly it was decided by the competent authority of the Bank to revoke the order of suspension and to allow the petitioner to resume duty. An order to this effect was issued on March 25, 1994. The 3rd paragraph of the said order being relevant for a decision on this writ petition is quoted below:
(3.) The petitioner resumed duty and on attaining the age of superannuation retired from service on February 29, 2008. Towards the end of the same year, December 15, 2008 to be precise, the learned Special Judge, Manipur East, delivered judgment in Special Trial No. 1 of 1988/4/91/1/96/4/96/1/97/5/97/2/98/2/99 (Central Bureau of Investigation v. 1. Moirangthem Madhu Singh, 2. Thoudem Tombi Singh, 3. Wahengbam Jaikumar Singh). The prosecution, it was held, had failed to prove the guilt of the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly they were acquitted on benefit of doubt.