P K VARUN vs PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 20th February, 2026. Pronounced on: 25th March, 2026. Uploaded on: 25th March, 2026. + W.P.(C) 7894/2018 & CM APPL. 30275/2018 P K VARUN .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Rajinder Gulati and Mr. I. P. Singh, Advocates with Petitioner in person. versus PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK .....Respondent Through: Mr. Rajesh Kumar Gautam, Ms. Likivi K. Jakhalu and Mr. Deepanjal Choudhary, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA JUDGMENT SANJEEV NARULA, J.: 1. This petition challenges the disciplinary order dated 31st October, 2017 imposing the major penalty of “dismissal which shall ordinarily be a disqualification for future employment” under the Punjab National Bank Officer Employees’ (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 1977, and the appellate order dated 28th March, 2018 affirming it. Consequentially, the Petitioner seeks directions for release of terminal dues, including gratuity beyond the statutory ceiling, leave encashment and pensionary benefits. Facts 2. The Petitioner joined the Bank on 29th December, 1980. At the relevant time from 21st May, 2012 to 21st April, 2015, he was serving as Assistant General Manager and incumbent-in-charge at Branch Office1: 1 “BO” Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:ANITA BAITAL W.P.(C) 7894/2018 Page 1 of 17 Signing Date:25.03.2026 18:53:31 MCB, Brady House, Mumbai. 3. On 26th July, 2017, the Petitioner was served with a charge-sheet under Regulation 6 initiating major penalty proceedings. The article of charge was framed as a single, omnibus head: while sanctioning credit facilities to various borrowers, the Petitioner allegedly failed to exercise due diligence, departed from the Bank’s guidelines, did not ensure a proper pre- sanction appraisal, and did not ensure effective p