ORDER :

S.M. Subramaniam, J.

1. The Award dated 04.04.2017 passed in I.D. No. 32 of 2015 is under challenge in the present writ petition.

2. The writ petitioner states that he was appointed in the first respondent Bank at Kattur ADB Branch, Lalgudi on 12.02.1979 and thereafter, transferred to Melsanakuppam Branch in 2004. During the period from 05.06.2004 to 30.09.2010, the petitioner was working as Special Assistant at Melsanakuppam Branch. Under the career progression, he was transferred to Karumbur Branch in 2010 as Senior Special Assistant. The petitioner was placed under suspension vide letter No. DIS/CON/250 dated 27.08.2011 and a charge sheet was issued on 14.02.2012. The Charges alleged against the petitioner are extracted hereunder:

"Charge No: 1

You did not exercise due diligence while verifying the address and identity of the gold loan borrowers, in respect of 77 gold loans (details given in the Annexure A)

Charge No: 2

You did not verify and satisfy yourself about the purity of the gold ornaments pledged for in respect of each of the 77 gold loans mentioned above before recommending them for sanction. (List of Accounts in Annexure B). The gold ornaments in respect of each of t