1. The petitioner prays for issuance of a Writ in the nature of Certiorari, to quash the order dated 07.11.2002, passed by the Assistant General Manager, Region II, State Bank of India, Thiruchirappalli, denying to the petitioner the benefit of backwages.

2. The admitted facts of the case, are that the petitioner is working as an Assistant (Accounts) with the State Bank of India at Main Branch, Thanjavur. The petitioner was earlier appointed as award staff in the main branch of State Bank of India, Thanjavur.

3. A criminal case was registered against the petitioner under Section 498(A) I.P.C., read with Section 4 of the Dowry Prohition Act. The petitioner was convicted by the learned Additional Sessions cum Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ramanadapuram on 03.11.1997 and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for six months and to pay a fine of Rs.500/-.

4. The petitioner was discharged from service, on account of his conviction by the Criminal Court. The ground for dismissal was, that the conduct leading to the conviction of the petitioner amounted to moral turpitude, which entitled the respondents to dispense with the services of the petitioner.

5. It is not in dispute that the