ORIENTAL BANK OF COMMERCE vs S.S. SHEOKAND

The Supreme Court upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision to quash the disciplinary action taken against S.S. Sheokand under the Oriental Bank of Commerce Officer Employees (Conduct) Regulation, 1982. The Court found that the disciplinary order, which reduced the respondent's pay scale for unauthorized purchases of third-party cheques beyond his discretionary powers, was not justified as the respondent had acted with the intention of increasing bank profits and there was no loss incurred by the bank. The Court directed that the respondent be considered for further promotion, reinforcing the principle that disciplinary actions must be proportionate and justified.