Calcutta High Court Orders Punjab National Bank to Compensate Disabled Official ₹3 Lakh for Reprehensible Conduct

The Calcutta High Court has directed Punjab National Bank (PNB) to compensate ₹3 lakh to a bank official with a 70 percent disability for its "reprehensible" conduct against him. The official, Anirban Pal, faced numerous challenges and insensitivity from the bank, which the court found deeply concerning.

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha presided over the case and took serious issue with PNB's refusal to retain Pal in Calcutta upon his promotion in 2018. Despite Pal's repeated requests to return from Patna due to his disability, the bank remained unyielding.

The court ordered the Chairman of PNB, the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Central Government, and the Vigilance Commissioner to take appropriate disciplinary action against those responsible for the actions against Pal. Furthermore, the court emphasized the need for public sector banks to sensitize their officials regarding the “Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016” and the special rules of the bank concerning disability.

Anirban Pal's ordeal began after a motor accident in 2015 resulted in a 70 percent disability. Despite his condition, Pal decided to participate in the bank’s promotion process in 2018, inspired by the successful, non-transferred promotions of two physically disabled colleagues in 2016. Upon his promotion to Scale-IV, Pal was transferred to Patna, which he contested due to the lack of caregiver support there. PNB, however, declined his request and insisted he relocate.

After joining the Patna office, Pal faced extreme discomfort and pain, which led him to take leave. The bank allegedly threatened coercive action if he did not return to duty. Subsequently, Pal requested a repatriation to Calcutta or a reversion to his previous Scale-III post. Although the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities directed the bank to exempt Pal from the transfer, he was posted back to Calcutta in December 2018 but only at the Scale-III level.

In 2020, Pal approached the bank to restore his promotion to Scale-IV, which was denied, prompting him to take his case to the High Court. The court noted that PNB's claim of no vacancy in Calcutta for a Scale-IV position was "false and dishonest," highlighting that four officers in Scale-IV were transferred to Calcutta in October 2018.

The court criticized PNB for not accommodating Pal in Calcutta despite having the provision to do so under its transfer policy for physically disabled officers. It stated that Pal’s suffering due to living alone in Patna was substantial and that the bank's actions were inhuman, violating both its own transfer policy and the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016.

Justice Mantha remarked that PNB's conduct likely stemmed from "misplaced egoistic feathers" of Pal's superiors, a malaise that affects hierarchies in public sector banks and other organizations. Although the court did not grant Pal's prayer for restoration of his promotion due to his delayed request in 2020, it imposed exemplary costs on PNB for their conduct.

The court mandated that the compensation of ₹3 lakh be paid to Pal within three weeks from the date of the order. This decision underscores the judiciary's stance on ensuring fair treatment and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News writer