The respondent was a clerk cum cashier. It is a post of confidence. The respondent breached the trust of a widowed sister in law as well as of the Bank, making it hardly a case for interference either on law or on moral grounds. The punishment imposed on the respondent could also hardly be said to be disproportionate. On the matter of hand writing expert, bare comparison of the signatures showed the difference between the two held, High court erred in applying test of criminal proceedings to departmental proceedings, the impugned judgment set aside. In absence of any jurisdictional error or violation of natural justice or error of law apparent on face of record, interference by High Court in merits of controversy as appellate court, impermissible.
[Indian Overseas Bank v. Om Prakash Lal Srivastava, (2022) 3 SCC 803]