Calcutta High Court in Shri Rajat Kumar Varshney vs. Central Bank of India & Ors. (FMA 327/2024) expunged adverse remarks relating to the employee’s integrity while upholding a reduced penalty of a minor reduction in pay scale for 3 years, without affecting pensionary benefits. The case involved allegations that the employee had misappropriated Rs. 25,000/- by transferring funds from the bank’s internal account to his wife’s account. However, the investigation revealed that the amount was eventually paid to the rightful beneficiary, and no financial loss was caused to the bank. The inquiry authority found only partial proof of misconduct, yet the disciplinary and appellate authorities imposed the severe penalty of dismissal. The Court held that there was no substantive evidence of misappropriation or questionable integrity and emphasised that such serious adverse remarks must be based on definitive proof, failing which they cannot be sustained.
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