Kangra: HC declines to quash chargesheet against bank DGM

Bhardwaj had challenged the chargesheet dated July 20, 2024 and the inquiry report dated May 15, 2025. The petitioner had alleged non-implementation of a Board of Directors (BoD) decision dated April 28, 2025, which had proposed dropping disciplinary proceedings against him.

However, the court rejected the plea for quashing the chargesheet and inquiry report, holding that the inquiry initiated on August 13, 2024 is still pending.

The case stemmed from a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting held on September 29, 2022. Bhardwaj’s name was kept in a sealed cover due to pending disciplinary proceedings. Subsequently, on February 28, 2023, the bank’s Managing Director (MD) imposed a major penalty, reverting Bhardwaj to a lower post of Senior Manager. Bhardwaj’s appeal before the BoD initially failed, prompting him to approach the High Court.

In an earlier judgment dated December 11, 2024, the High Court had directed the BoD to reconsider his appeal afresh. Acting on the court’s directions, the BoD later waived off the penalty, leading to Bhardwaj’s promotion as DGM on February 6, 2025.

However, the respondents argued that the BoD’s decision to drop the charges was never confirmed in its subsequent meeting, and therefore the inquiry could lawfully continue.

Accepting this contention, the court allowed the continuation of the inquiry but directed the bank to release Bhardwaj’s promotional and financial benefits pending since 2022, subject to the final outcome of the inquiry.