STATE BANK OF INDIA vs RANJIT KUMAR CHAKRABORTY

The Supreme Court held that the Disciplinary Authority, lacking the competence to impose a major penalty, must refer the case to the Appointing Authority, which is required to provide a hearing to the delinquent before imposing such a penalty. The Court emphasized that the principles of natural justice must be adhered to, as the failure to provide a hearing renders the dismissal void ab initio. The appeal against the dismissal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision that the order was against natural justice principles.