JUDGMENT :

Abhay Manohar Sapre, J.

1. This appeal is directed against the final judgment and order dated 23.08.2007 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in C.W.P. No. 16286 of 2006 whereby the Division Bench of the High Court allowed the writ petition filed by respondent No.1 Bank and quashed the award dated 30.05.2006 passed by the Presiding Officer, Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, New Delhi in I.D. No.103/98.

2. In order to appreciate the controversy involved in the appeal, it is necessary to set out the relevant facts in detail infra.

3. The appellant herein was the employee of respondent No.1 Punjab National Bank (PNB).

4. The appellant, at the relevant time, was working as Cashier in the PNB, Branch Office at Jind (Punjab).

5. On 21.03.1984, the appellant while on duty was found consuming liquor in the Branch. On the same day, respondent No.1 Bank also found shortage of Rs.35,000/- in daily cash balance on verification of the daily accounts.

6. Respondent No.1 Bank, therefore, decided to hold a departmental inquiry to probe the aforementioned two charges against the appellant as per the service rules.

7. A chargesheet was accordingly se