Ram Surat Ram, J. - (1.) Heard Sri Vikas Budhwar, for the petitioner and Sri P.K. Singhal, for the respondents.
(2.) The writ petition has been filed for quashing the charge sheet dated 15.10.2016, Inquiry Report dated 10.02.2017, orders of Disciplinary Authority (respondent-1) dated 04.07.2017, imposing punishment of termination from service and withholding salary during suspension period (except suspension allowance already paid) and directing to realize the amount of damages caused to the bank and Appellate Authority (respondent-3) dated 28.09.2017, dismissing appeal of the petitioner, against aforesaid order.
(3.) The petitioner was appointed as 'Office Assistant' on 27.01.2015 in Prathama Bank, which was established under Regional Rural Bank Act, 1976. The petitioner was posted as 'Probationary Office Assistant' at Akka Dilari Branch of district Moradabad, on 12.02.2015. Disciplinary Authority, by order dated 11.08.2016 suspended the petitioner and initiated disciplinary proceeding against him. The charge sheet was served upon the petitioner on 15.10.2016. The petitioner submitted his reply to the charge sheet on 27.10.2016 and denied the charges leveled against him. Disciplinary Authority appointed Inquiry Officer on 23.11.2016. Inquiry Officer fixed 07.12.2016 for holding inquiry. Inquiry was held on 07.12.2016, 21.12.2016, 03.01.2017, 11.01.2017 and 16.01.2017. Inquiry Officer, after hearing the parties, submitted Inquiry Report dated 10.02.2017, holding the petitioner as guilty of embezzlement of Rs. 1979800/- (the amount of scholarship of minority students), in connivance of Satish Singh, Probationary Assistant Manager of the branch and one Munazir Hasan (business correspondent).;