JUDGMENT

Mohammed Nias.C.P., J.

The Indian Overseas Bank and its officials are challenging the judgment of the learned single Judge in WP(C)No.15508 of 2013 dated 30.11.2021 allowing the writ petition filed by the respondent / writ petitioner modifying the punishment of removal from service to compulsory retirement.

2. The brief facts leading to the writ appeal are as follows:-

The writ petitioner joined the service of the first respondent Bank on 12.12.1990 as Messenger and was later promoted as Clerk from 01.12.2004. While he was working at the Pathanamthitta Branch of the Bank, he was sanctioned an overdraft facility with CC Account No.1109 as applicable to the bank staff with a limit of 2.24 lakh and his salary was being credited to the said account. He was also issued with an ATM card for withdrawals from the said account. The writ petitioner was later transferred to Adoor branch of the bank on 20.10.2009, where he joined on 21.10.2009. Following his transfer, CC Account No.1109 maintained at the Pathanamthitta branch along with the outstanding balance was transferred to Adoor branch only on 04.02.2010. As on 04.02.2010, there was a debit balance of Rs.2,25,4789.61/- in CC Accoun