State Bank Of Patiala & Anr vs Ram Niwas Bansal (Dead) Through Lrs

The Supreme Court addressed the procedural fairness in disciplinary proceedings under Regulation 68(1)(ii) of the State Bank of Patiala (Officers’) Service Regulations, 1979, emphasizing the necessity of providing a delinquent officer with a fair opportunity to respond to the enquiry report. The Court upheld the Full Bench's decision that the non-supply of comments from the General Manager constituted a denial of fair opportunity, thus setting aside the removal order. The Court directed the disciplinary authority to allow the officer to respond to the enquiry report and conduct a fresh hearing in accordance with law.