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Madras High CourtWP/33700/2024disposed of with direction

R.Gokul Ramanujam v. The Reserve Bank Of India

2026-02-02Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI W.P. Nos.33700 of 2024 & 18306 of 2025 and WMP.Nos.20503 & 20505 of 2025 WP.No.33700 of 2024 R.Gokul Ramanujam ... Petitioner Vs 1.THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA, FORT GLACIS, NO.16, RAJAJI SALAI, CHENNAI-600 001. 2.PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS, CIRCLE OFFICE, CHENNAI, NO.46-49, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, PNB TOWERS 2ND FLOOR, CHENNAI-600 014 ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to rectify the petitioner attendance updated as Unauthorized Leave (UNAU LV) for a period from 02.04.2024 to 31.12.2024 and permit the petitioner to do his official work as a Manager (Security) and to pay the all arrears of salary within a time fixed by this Court and to ensure the safety measures as per the guidelines and circulars of the 1st respondent / Reserve Bank of India, issued from time to time For petitioner : Mr.Aniruth Krishnan for Mr.N.Sasank Iyer

For Respondents For R1 : Mr.T.Poornam ForR2 : Mr.P.Raghunathan for M/s.T.S.Gopalan & Co.

WP.No.18306 of 2025 R.Gokul Ramanujam ... Petitioner Vs 1.THE PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, REP BY ZONAL MANAGER / DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY, DISCIPLINARY ACTION CELL, ZONAL OFFICE, NO.46-49, PNB TOWERS, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI-600 014. 2.THE PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK REP BY DEPUTY CIRCLE HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS, CIRCLE OFFICE, CHENNAI SOUTH, NO.46-49, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, PNB TOWERS 2ND FLOOR, CHENNAI-600 0014 ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the entire records pertaining to the impugned charge sheet in Proceedings No.ZO. CHN:DAC dated 27.01.2025 issued by the 1st respondent and the impugned relieving order in Proceeding No. CO/ CHN/ HRD/ TRF, dated 09.05.

2025 issued by the 2nd Respondent and consequential impugned punishment order passed by the first respondent in proceedings No.NIL dated 29.09.2025 and to quash the same as illegal, arbitrary, against the principle of natural justice, clear abuse of law and colorable exercise of power and consequently directing the respondents to allow the petitioner in the Chennai Circle office with all attendant and monetary benefits including arrears of salary with increments, promotions and seniority. (prayer amended as per order dated 02.02.2026 in WMP.No.

WP.No.18306 of 2025) For petitioner : Mr.Aniruth Krishnan for Mr.N.Sasank Iyer For Respondents For R1 & 2 : Mr.P.Raghunathan for M/s.T.S.Gopalan & Co.

COMMON ORDER WP.No.18306 of 2025 The writ petition has been filed praying to quash the charge sheet in Proceedings No.ZO. CHN:DAC dated 27.01.2025 issued by the 1st respondent and the relieving order in Proceeding No. CO/ CHN/ HRD/ TRF, dated 09.05.2025 issued by the 2nd Respondent and consequential impugned punishment order passed by the first respondent in proceedings No.NIL dated 29.09.2025.

2.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner initially joined in Border Security Force in the year 2012 and he resigned from service in the year 2018. Thereafter, the petitioner was selected as Manager (Security) in the Middle Management Grade Scale-II in Punjab National Bank and in the year 2020 he joined duty on 09.11.2020 and after joining, while he was in service, the petitioner made a complaint against one

neighbour namely Deepak Nithin on 31.07.2022 which was registered in FIR.No.249 of 2022 for the offences punishable under Sections 341, 294(b), 324, 506(ii) of IPC. For counter complaint, the said Deepak Nithin also issued legal notice to the petitioner's employer on 22.08.2023 and on that basis, the petitioner was issued the impugned charge memo dated 27.01.2025. Challenging the same, this writ petition has been filed. 3.

However, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that during the pendency of the writ petition, enquiry was conducted and punishment has been imposed against the petitioner by reducing the grade of the petitioner. Challenging the same, the petitioner filed appeal before the appellate authority. Therefore, this Court may dispose of this writ petition by granting liberty to the petitioner to canvass all the points raised in this writ petition before the appellate authority. Further, till such time, the respondents may be directed not to give effect to the transfer order dated 09.05.2025. 4.

In view of the above, the writ petition in WP.No.18306 of 2025 is disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to canvass all the points raised in this writ petition before the appellate authority where the appeal is pending. Accordingly, the first respondent is directed to dispose of the aforementioned

appeal within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Till such time, the respondents are directed not to give effect to the transfer order dated 09.05.2025 against the petitioner. WP.No.33700 of 2024 5.

The Writ Petition in WP.No.33700 of 2024 has been filed for direction to the 2nd respondent to rectify the petitioner attendance updated as Unauthorized Leave (UNAU LV) for a period from 02.04.2024 to 31.12.2024 and permit the petitioner to do his official work as a Manager (Security) and to pay the all arrears of salary.

6.

In view of the above order passed in WP.No.18306 of 2025, the writ petition in WP.No.33700 of 2024 is closed by granting liberty to the petitioner to canvass all the points raised in this writ petition before the appellate authority where the appeal is pending. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

02.02.2026 (2/2) Index :Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order : Yes/No lok

M. DHANDAPANI, J.

lok To 1.THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA, FORT GLACIS, NO.16, RAJAJI SALAI, CHENNAI-600 001. 2.THE PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK, REP BY ZONAL MANAGER / DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY, DISCIPLINARY ACTION CELL, ZONAL OFFICE, NO.46-49, PNB TOWERS, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI-600 014. 3.THE PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK REP BY DEPUTY CIRCLE HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS, CIRCLE OFFICE, CHENNAI SOUTH, NO.46-49, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, PNB TOWERS 2ND FLOOR, CHENNAI-600 0014 W.P. Nos.33700 of 2024 & 18306 of 2025 02.02.2026 (2/2)