JUDGMENT :

B.R. Sarangi, J.

The petitioners are the legal heirs of the deceased employee late Balaram Mohanty, who was initially appointed as Godown Keeper in State Bank of India, Cuttack Branch on 02.12.1970. Subsequently, he was promoted to the officer cadre in the year 1978 and then to Middle Management Grade (MMGS-II) on 01.08.1988 and posted at Jeypore Branch, Orissa.

2. While the deceased employee was working as MMGS-II, he was placed under suspension on 27.11.1992. A memorandum of charges was communicated to him by the authority on 18.12.1993, while he was working at Jeypore Branch as Field Officer, that in terms of Rule-50 of State Bank of India (Supervising Staff) Service Rules, 1975 (for short “Rules, 1975”) corresponding to new Rule 68(1) of State Bank of India Officers Service Rules, 1992 (for short “Rules, 1992”) it had been decided to initiate disciplinary proceeding against the deceased employee in terms of Rule 50(2)(iii) of Rules, 1975 which corresponds to new Rule 62(2)(iii) of Rules, 1992 and proposed to hold an inquiry against him. On the basis of memorandum of charge, it was alleged that the deceased employee contravened Rules 22(4) and 34(3)(i) which correspond t