Srinivasan, J.

1. The respondent is the Secretary of the appellant-Bank, having risen to the position from the ranks. He was punished for some misconduct by an award of suspension for a period of two years and by reduction of pay from Rs. 1,050 to Rs. 900. That period of suspension came to an end on 13.10.1978. On that day, the respondent went to the Office of the appellant Bank for reporting to duty. The Special Officer, who was in charge of the Bank, directed him to come on the next day. i.e., on 14.10.1978, though he received the joining report, which he returned to him. On 14.10.1978, the Special Officer, issued a memo, marked as Ex. A4 which reads as follows:

It has been brought to the notice of the Special Officer, Kumbakonam Central Co-operative Bank that a case in Kumbakonam North Police Station has been registered against Thiru K.S.Mani, M.L.C. and ex-Chairman, Kumbakonam Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Kumbakonam and Thiru M. Parthasarathi, Secretary of the Kumbakonam Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Kumbakonam in connection with the sale of tickets for Mu Ka Muthu benefit music performance and that the case is under investigation.

2. Pending prosecution and disciplin