JUDGMENT

Dr. B.R.SARANGI, J. - The petitioner, while working as Head Assistant (Accounts), State Bank of India at Jeypore, was incharge of pension payment section as an officiating officer in Scale-I cadre from June, 1995 to August, 1998. It is alleged that during the period from 09.12.1996 to 06.11.1997, he committed irregularities of serious nature in respect of pensions, savings bank accounts of the pensioners and dishonestly misappropriated a sum of Rs. 73,000/- by cheating the pensioners fraudulently and forging their accounts. The said fact, having come to the notice of the Bank authorities, was enquired into by an investigating team, which submitted a report against the petitioner in August, 1998. On the basis of such report, the Chief Manager lodged an FIR in writing against the petitioner before the IIC, Town Police Station, Jeypore on 12.11.1998, which was registered as Jeypore Town P.S. Case No. 266 of 1998 under Sections 409/420/468/471/477-A, IPC. During investigation, the Investigating Officer seized various documents, examined witnesses and submitted charge sheet against the petitioner. The petitioner faced trial and, after its completion, was acquitted of the charge