JUDGMENT :

Dr. S.N. Pathak, J :

Heard Mr. K.N. Choubey, learned Senior Counsel, assisted by Mr. Rajendra Krishna and Mr. Vishal Kumar Tiwary, advocates for the petitioner and Mr. Manoj Tandon, learned counsel, assisted by Mr. P.A.S. Pati and Mr. Rohan Kashyap, advocates appearing on behalf of respondent-Bank.

Prayer.

2. In the instant writ petition, the petitioner has challenged the order of penalty of removal from service dated 27.1.2020 (Annexure-7 to the writ petition). The appellate order dated 25.06.2020 (Annexure-9 to the writ petition) passed by the appellate authority rejecting the appeal of the petitioner is also under challenge. The petitioner further prayed for reinstatement in service with all consequential benefits.

Factual Matrix

3. The facts as delineated in the writ petition are that while the petitioner was posted as Circle Head, Punjab National Bank, Mumbai City, he was proceeded with regular departmental proceeding by framing a memo of charge dated 23.1.2019 under Regulation 6 of Punjab National Bank Officer Employees' (Discipline & Appeal) Regulations, 1977. Altogether three charges were levelled against the petitioner under different headings. The petitioner submitte