ORDER

Heard the parties.

2. The petitioner has approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India assailing the validity and correctness of order dated 4th April 2001 (Annexure-6) passed by the General Manager (D & PB), the Appointing Authority, of the State Bank of India, Local Head Office, Patna, whereby on the basis of findings recorded by the Inquiring Authority, penalty of removal from service has been inflicted upon the petitioner under the provisions of the State Bank of India Officers Service Rules (hereinafter to be referred to as the Service Rules). The petitioner has also assailed the validity and correctness of the appellate order dated 3rd October 2002 (Annexure-8) passed by the respondent Chief General Manager of the State Bank of India (in short Bank) as also the order dated 21.02.2003 (Annexure-9), passed by the Reviewing Committee of the Bank whereby the order passed by the appellate authority has been affirmed.

3. The relevant facts are not under much dispute. While the petitioner was posted as Assistant Branch Manager at Sumerganj Branch of the respondent Bank in the district of Vaishali, he was put under suspension by order dated 18.05.1998 (Annex