CHITTA RANJAN DAS Vs. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, herein, has sought to invoke the jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the impugned order dated 25.01.2014, passed by the disciplinary authority, imposing the petitioner, a major penalty of removal from service and rejection order of the appellate authority vide order dated 30.04.2014 as well as the order of the reviewing authority dated 24.09.2014.

(2.) Brief case of the petitioner that can be recapitulated from the pleadings that the petitioner was serving in the Punjab National Bank (hereinafter, in short, 'PNB') for 34 years and he was promoted to the post of Branch/Deputy Manager in Nagaon Branch of the Bank. While he was posted as Branch Head of the Singia Branch of the Bank during the period from 26.07.2010 to 09.01.2013, large numbers of customers complained of non-receipt of loans sanctioned against Kisan Credit Card (KCC), which was given to persons other than the actual applicants. Based on such complaints, the Zonal Audit Office conducted an investigation and the internal auditor submitted a Special Report on 13.05.2013. In the report, auditor pointed out certain irregularities committed at Branch Officer at Singia during the incumbency of the petitioner in the said branch. In order to ensure a proper enquiry, the petitioner was placed under suspension under the provisions of Punjab National Bank Officers' (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 1977 (the 1977 Regulations) and the petitioner was served with the audit report, pointing the irregularities committed by him, vide letter dated 17.05.2013. Being not satisfied with the reply, charge sheet under Provision 6 of the 1977 Regulations was filed with article of charges, statement of imputations of charges in support of article of charges. Statement of article of charges is as follows:-

(3.) Statement of imputation of misconduct in support of article of charges against the petitioner read as follows:-