SHRI VIJOY JOSHI vs PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

Judgment text excerpt

$~25 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of decision: 11.12.2025 + W.P.(C) 2478/2020 & CM APPL. 8642/2020 SHRI VIJOY JOSHI ..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Rakesh Kumar Gogia and Ms. Deeksha Sharma, Advs. versus PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK .....Respondent Through: Ms. Arti Singh and Mr. Aakashdeep Singh Roda, Advs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AVNEESH JHINGAN AVNEESH JHINGAN, J. (ORAL) 1. This petition is filed seeking directions for setting aside the interview process initiated on 25.02.2020 for fresh empanelment for the Financial Year (in short F.Y.) 2020-21. 2. The brief facts are that on 17.04.1985 the petitioner joined the United Bank of India as a Probationary Officer. From August 2017 to July 2019, the petitioner was holding the post of Chief Regional Manager. On 06.04.2019 the interviews were held for preparing a panel for promotion from SMG Scale-V to Scale-VI for F.Y. 2019-20. 2.1 The interviews were held and twelve vacancies were filled by the selected candidates. The petitioner was at serial no. 2 in the waiting list. On 26.02.2020 the bank issued an interview letter for formation of the panel for F.Y. 2020-21. The petitioner chose not to participate in the interview process for vacancies arising during F.Y. 2020-21. The Union Bank of India merged with the Punjab National Signature Not Verified Signed By:AWANISHW.P.(C) 2478/2020 Page 1 of 6 CHANDRA MISHRA Signing Date:12.12.2025 16:23:24 Bank. The petitioner took voluntary retirement on 15.09.2020. 3. This petition is filed raising the grievance that during F.Y. 2019-20 the waiting list for candidates to be promoted to the post of SMG Scale-VI was valid and the respondents erred in initiating the interview process on 25.02.2020. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner relies upon the promotion policy for the