Purna Chandra Sarkar v. West Bengal Gramin Bank And ORS.

26.11.2025 Court No. 02 Item No.03 (Suvendu) WPA 3471 of 2025 Purna Chandra Sarkar -Versus- West Bengal Gramin Bank & Ors.

Mr. Indranath Mitra .....for the petitioner Ms. Sreemoyee Mitra ....for the Bank 1) Supplementary Affidavit filed on behalf of the petitioner is taken on record.

2) Matter is heard in presence of learned advocates representing the petitioner and bank authority.

3) It is contended on behalf of the petitioner that petitioner retired on superannuation on 31st October, 2024 from the post of Scale III Officer of the Bank and after retirement by issuing charge-sheet dated 4th February, 2025 disciplinary proceeding was initiated which is impermissible in terms of relevant Service Regulations relating to initiation of disciplinary proceeding against a bank officer. Accordingly challenge has been thrown to initiation of disciplinary proceeding against the petitioner after his superannuation on 31st October, 2024.

4) Learned advocate representing the bank authority has submitted that on conclusion of disciplinary proceeding an order of punishment was issued on 13th March, 2025 imposing minor penalty, i.e. reduction of Basic Pay by 1 (one) stage lower in the time scale of pay which he belonged to as Officer Scale -III with retention of FPP, PQP, Stagnation interment, if any, on and inclusive the date of his superannuation. It is submitted on behalf of the bank authority that all retiral dues have already been released in favour of the petitioner.

5) On perusal of order of punishment dated 13th March, 2025, it appears that said punishment order is an appealable order as per Regulations 49, 50 and 51 of Bangiya Gramin Vikash Bank (Officers and Employees) Service Regulations 2010.

6) In view of availability of appeal provision under relevant Service Regulations, 2010 this Court does not find it necessary to keep this writ petition pending.

7) Hence, in view of availability of alternative speedy efficacious remedy, writ petition stands disposed of granting leave to petitioner to prefer appeal against the order of punishment dated

13th March, 2025 before the Appellate Authority in accordance with law.

8) There shall be no order as to costs.

9) Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on usual undertaking.

(Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.)