In Brief
United Bank of India dismissed clerk-cum-typist Bachan Prasad Lal in 2000 for fraudulent misappropriation of funds involving forged vouchers and fake accounts. The Industrial Tribunal modified the dismissal to reinstatement with demotion, and the High Court upheld this, citing the employee's subsequent superannuation. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the dismissal was not disproportionate given the serious misconduct. Superannuation does not absolve employees from accountability for fraud. Bank employees in positions of trust require absolute honesty and integrity, and such serious matters should not be dealt with leniently.
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