O R D E R

Heard the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the respondents and perused the records.

2. The case of the petitioner, in brief, is that he had joined the service of the respondent bank on 29.06.1981 and after probation of 6 months period, his service was confirmed with effect from 29.12.1981; that while working in the respondent bank, he was placed under suspension on 18.12.2001 and was finally discharged from the service on 18.10.2003.

3. It is the further case of the petitioner that the respondents had initiated disciplinary action against him and on finding, the charges proved against him, had “discharged him from service with superannuation benefits ie., pension, provident fund and gratuity as would be due otherwise under the Rules or Regulations prevailing at the relevant time and without disqualification from future employment”; and that by the order of disciplinary authority dated 18.10.2003, the period of suspension i.e., from 18.12.2001 to 18.10.2003 ie., 1 year 10 months as suspension only, for all intents and purposes.

4. Petitioner further contended that in all, from the date of joining of service of the respon