SHANKAR KAMBHAR Vs. ENQUIRY OFFICER, ANDHRA BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Petitioner assails the findings recorded by the Enquiry Officer, Andhra Bank in a Departmental Proceeding, which has been confirmed by the Appellate & the Revisional Authorities & he has been awarded the punishment of compulsory retirement.

(2.) THE Petitioner pleaded that he was working as a Cashier -cum -Clerk in Andhra Bank, Branch at Bhawaniptna, District - Kalahandi for the period 12.08.1998 to 25.01.2002. During that period, one Bipin Bijoy Sunadhar was acting as the Branch Manager. During his incumbency as Cashier -cum -Clerk, there was no allegation against him from any quarters regarding any irregularity or act of any misappropriation of any amount remitted by the customers. He performed his duties sincerely & honestly. Thereafter, he was promoted to the post of Assistant Manager (JMGS -1 cadre) & was posted at Warangal in Andhra Pradesh as Assistant Manager.

(3.) HE specifically pleaded that regular hearing of the enquiry was fixed on 28.08.2003 at 10.30 A.M. in the premises of Industrial Relations Department, Head Office at Hyderabad. The Petitioner sought for adjournment of the enquiry proceedings on health ground & also for having not chosen his Authorised Defence Representative to conduct his case on the above date. Accordingly, the enquiry proceeding was adjourned to 19.09.2003. On the date of posting, since no Management witnesses turned up, the proceeding was postponed. The Enquiry Officer did not give him any specific date of hearing of the enquiry proceedings & instead he told the Petitioner that intimation regarding the next date of hearing would be communicated to him, but no communication regarding date of hearing of the enquiry proceedings was received by the Petitioner in the meanwhile.