Hon’ble Manoj Misra, J.—The instant petition assail the orders dated 29.2.2012 and 16.7.2012 passed by the General Manager, N.W.-II, State Bank of India, Lucknow and the Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, Lucknow, respectively, by which the petitioner has been removed from service and the appeal against the order of removal has also been dismissed.

2. The facts giving rise to this petition are that the petitioner was initially appointed as a Clerk/Cashier in State Bank of India (in short the Bank) in the year 1986. On 1.8.1999, he was promoted as Trainee Officer and, on 27.3.2008, was conferred status of Officer Middle Management Grade Scale-II. On 1.8.2008, the petitioner was posted as an Accountant and for some period officiated as Branch Manager at Station Road Branch, Moradabad. While he was posted at the said branch, on 31.12.2010, he was placed under suspension. On 7.2.2011, a first information report was lodged by the Branch Manager of Station Road Branch of the Bank alleging that the petitioner by abusing his powers got banker cheque Nos. 065877 (date