- (1.) Leave granted. Heard counsel for the parties.
(2.) This appeal preferred against the judgment and decree of the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing the second appeal filed by the appellant raises certain basic questions concerning natural justice in the context of disciplinary proceedings.
(3.) A disciplinary enquiry was held against the respondent in respect of two charges. They are : "Charge No. 1 'That he did not deposit the sum of Rs. 10,000/- handed over to him by Sh. Balwant Singh in December 1985, in the crop loan account of Sh. Jarnail Singh s/o Sh. Lahra Singh. Later on the entire amount of Rs. 11,517.50 outstanding in the account was deposited by someone on the 22nd March 1986, under the signature of Sh. Balwant Singh. He thus utilised the amount of Rs. 10,000/- for approximately 3 months for his own advantage.' Charge No. II 'That he, in contravention of Regulation 50(4) of the State Bank of Patiala (Officers') Service Regulations 1979, issued an undated letter in his own handwriting addressed to the Tehsildar, Bhatinda for revocation of Mutation of the land mortgaged to the Bank even when the crop loan account of Shri Jarnail Singh was not adjusted. He thus jeopardised the interests of the Bank.'";