JUDGMENT :

HEMANT GUPTA, J.

Leave granted.

2. The order of the Division Bench of the High Court at Calcutta dated April 7, 2017 is the subject matter of challenge in this appeal.

3. The respondent - Atindra Nath Bhattacharyya was charge sheeted on December 28, 1999 containing 16 charges on the ground that while working as Chief Manager of Baghbazar Branch of the Bank from November 19, 1997 to September 9, 1998, he has committed various irregularities pertaining to credit and local clearing instruments. The inquiry officer appointed conducted inquiry in respect of charges levelled against the respondent and submitted his report dated January 14, 2002 to the Appointing Authority which was also forwarded to the respondent on April 12, 2002. The Appointing Authority found huge irregularities on the part of the respondent and imposed punishment of removal on January 24, 2003. The appeal was dismissed by the Appellate Authority on April 19, 2005.

4. The respondent filed a writ petition before the High Court at Calcutta wherein, the order of punishment as affirmed by the Appellate Authority, was set aside by the Single Bench on January 13, 2016 on the ground that the delinquent was not given a