Miranda Kachari Kahar v. The Punjab National Bank and 3 Ors

ORDER

02.08.2024

Heard Shri D. Baruah, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Shri S. Dutta, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the PNB. Considering the subject matter and as agreed to by the learned counsel for the parties, this writ petition is disposed of at the motion stage. The petitioner was working as the Branch Head of Lichubari Branch in the district of Jorhat under the respondent-Bank. A disciplinary proceeding was initiated against her which had culminated in an order dated 09.01.2024 by which the petitioner has been removed from service. It is submitted that as per provision of Regulation 17 of the Punjab National Bank Officer Employees Discipline and Appeal Regulation, 1977, an appeal has been preferred on

13.02.2024 which is yet to be considered. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that a direction may be issued for consideration and passing of final orders in the appeal and communicate the same to her. He prays for a further liberty that in the event, the outcome of the appeal in unfavourable to her, she may be allowed to approach the appropriate forum of law. Shri Dutta, the learned counsel for the Bank submits that the appeal is in fact under consideration and final orders would be passed soon. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, this writ petition is Page No.# 3/3 disposed of by directing the appellate authority, namely, respondent no. 4 of the respondent bank to consider and dispose of the departmental appeal filed on

13.02.2024 expeditiously and, in any event, within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this order. It is also provided that in the event, the outcome of the appeal is against the petitioner, she would be at liberty to approach the appropriate forum of law. This Court however makes it clear that no observation is made on the merits of the case of either of the parties. Writ petition accordingly stands disposed of. JUDGE Comparing Assistant

PageoNo.#o1/3 GAHC010149872024 ooooooo ooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooTHEoGAUHATIoHIGHoCOURTo (HIGHoCOURToOFoASSAM,oNAGALAND,oMIZORAMoANDoARUNACHALoPRADESH)o CaseoNo.o:oWP(C)/3803/2024o MIRANDAoKACHARIoKAHARo W/O-oPAVANoKUMARoKAHAR,o R/O-oQTRoNO-C-14/4,o DoTYPEoCOLONY,o ONGC,oCINNAMARA,oJORHAT,oASSAM,oPIN-785704 VERSUSo THEoPUNJABoNATIONALoBANKoANDo3oORSo REP.oBYoITSoZONALoMANAGER/GENERALoMANAGER,oZONALoOFFICE,o PANBAZAR,oGUWAHATI-01 2:THEoZONALoMANAGER/GENERALoMANAGER oZONALoOFFICE oPUNJABoNATIONALoBANK oPANBAZAR oGUWAHATI-01 3:THEoDISCIPLINARYoAUTHORITY oCUMoZONALoMANAGER/GENERALoMANAGER oZONALoOFFICE oPANBAZAR oGUWAHATI-01 4:THEoAPPELLATEoAUTHORITY oPUNJABoNATIONALoBANK o HEADoOFFICEo oDWARKA oNEWoDELHo Page No.# 2/3 Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. D BARUAH, MR. P K BORDOLOI Advocate for the Respondent : SC, PNB, BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI