JUDGMENT

BHARUCHA, J.—Leave to appeal is granted.

2. The appeal is directed against the judgment and order of the High Court at Patna dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellant.

3. The appellant was employed by the respondent. He was charge-sheeted for having granted bank loans to a large number of persons without proper documentation and without verifying their credit worthiness and also with having obtained illegal gratification in that connection. An enquiry was held. The Enquiry Officer made a report holding the appellant guilty. Upon the basis of the enquiry report the appellant was dismissed from service.

4. The appellant filed a writ petition before the High Court at Patna (being Writ Petition No. C.W.J.C. No. 1979 of 1988) impugning the dismissal. The High Court allowed the writ petition by judgment and order dated July 8, 1988. The enquiry, the court concluded, could not be held to be proper and in accordance with law. Consequently, the order of dismissal was set aside. The High Court observed:

"This does not mean that the petitioner should be go scot-free. He must face enquiry. Sufficient time has already lapsed. The enquiry must be concluded as early as possible. Th