PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK AND ORS vs C.J. ARORA

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on:- 04.02.2026. Date of pronouncement:- 13.02.2026 + LPA 733/2025, CM APPLs. 76001/2025, 76002/2025 & 76004/2025 PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK AND ORS. .....Appellants Through: Mr.Saurabh Mishra, Sr.Adv with Mr.Bitu Kumar Singh, Mr.Rajeev Ranjan and Mr.Gunjan Kumar, Advs versus C.J. ARORA .....Respondent Through: Dr. Ashwani Bhardwaj, Adv. CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA JUDGMENT DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, C.J. CHALLENGE 1. This letter patent appeal instituted under Clause X of the Letter Patent seeks to challenge the judgment and order dated 09.12.2024 passed by learned Single Judge whereby W.P.(C) No.6696/2003 filed by the respondent, was allowed, and the charge-sheet along with the Inquiry Report dated 14.12.1995, punishment order of dismissal from service dated 17.08.1996, the order of the Appellate Authority dated 26.07.2002 dismissing the appeal against the order of punishment, and the order dated Signature Not Verified Digiltally Signed LPA 733/2025 Page 1 of 31 By:SREERAM L Signing Date:13.02.2026 16:59:31 08.04.2003 passed by Reviewing Authority dismissing the review, has been quashed. 2. Learned Single Judge has further held that the respondent shall be entitled to notional reinstatement from the date of the order of penalty till 30.04.2011 when he retired on attaining the age of superannuation. Further directions were also issued by learned Single Judge in the impugned judgment and order that pay and allowances of the respondent shall be calculated for the period of notional reinstatement for the purposes of retiral benefits on this basis, and he shall accordingly be paid his pension from 30.04.2011 along with arrears. FACTS 3. Heard the learned Senior Counsel for the appellants and