Theft convict can't be employee of bank, says Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has upheld a public sector bank's decision to fire an employee guilty of theft, saying banks which constantly deal with cash cannot keep a "thief" on their payrolls.

Justice Shiv Narayan Dhingra rejected the plea of Mohinder Pal Grover, who earlier worked as a peon with Vijaya Bank in Delhi, for quashing the bank's order dismissing him.

"The petitioner was guilty of committing theft and was rightly removed from service. There was no ground to interfere in the order of punishment," the court said.

Vijaya Bank's counsel told the court that Grover was dismissed from his job after he was twice found guilty of theft twice while on duty.

A chargesheet was served on him for his involvement in a theft of Rs 900 in 1987 and Rs 650 in 1997, the counsel said.

Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Grover and the inquiry officer found that the charges of theft were true. As a result, the disciplinary authority recommended his removal from service, the counsel said.

Grover had challenged the validity of the departmental inquiry before the appellate authority but his plea was rejected.

He then filed a case with the Industrial Tribunal seeking benefits under the Industrial Disputes Act. The tribunal, after examining evidence from the bank and Grover, passed an order in the bank's favour and said "the decision taken by the bank was fair and proper."