In Brief
The appellant was dismissed from State Bank of Patiala in 1993 on charges of fraudulent withdrawal. The Labour Court found the domestic enquiry unfair and ordered reinstatement. The High Court reversed this, but the Supreme Court observed that four employees were involved in the alleged fraud, yet only the appellant was dismissed while the others received lesser punishments. Finding this discriminatory, the Court disposed of the appeal by treating the appellant as retired on completion of 15 years of service (February 2016), with retiral benefits settled for future pension, since he had already received substantial back wages and interim relief during the litigation period."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.