High Court of Madras allows appeal, grants interim relief, prohibits recovery during appeal.

The High Court of Madras admitted the appeal challenging the dismissal of a writ petition and ordered a detailed examination. The Court granted interim relief by prohibiting recovery from the officers' salary and initiating coercive proceedings during the appeal's pendency. It clarified that the benefit withdrawn by the management would not be reinstated during the appeal. Parties were given liberty to request an early appeal hearing if needed.

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Issues Involved:
Challenge to order dated 24.06.2022 recorded on W.P. No.11991 of 2014 - Dismissal of writ petition - Interim relief for appellants.

Analysis:
The judgment delivered by the High Court of Madras pertains to an appeal challenging an order dated 24.06.2022 recorded on W.P. No.11991 of 2014. The appeal was made by the original writ petitioners. The Court heard arguments from both sides, with Ms. R.Vaigai, a learned senior advocate, representing the appellants, and Mr. E.Om Prakash, another learned senior advocate, representing the Management/respondents 1 and 2. The advocate for the appellants argued that the dismissal of the writ petition required a re-look on multiple grounds, including the fact that the appellants should have been heard before withdrawing a concession that had been in force for over two decades. The Court acknowledged that the matter required further consideration and admitted the appeal for detailed examination.

Regarding the request for interim relief, the Court deliberated on the extent of protection that could be granted to the appellants during the pendency of the appeal. The Court noted that the impugned action was a policy decision of the management upheld by a learned Single Judge. While the Court refrained from directing the respondent Bank to continue extending the benefit in question to its officers, it recognized the need to protect the officers from salary deductions and coercive proceedings. Consequently, the Court ordered that no recovery should be made from the officers' salary during the appeal's pendency, and no coercive proceedings should be initiated against them. The Court clarified that the benefit withdrawn by the management, which was not interfered with in the writ petition, would not be directed to be continued during the appeal. Additionally, the Court reserved liberty to the parties to seek an early hearing of the appeal if required.

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