Summary: Lalit C. Joshi, a dedicated bank employee, faced a series of setbacks in his quest for promotion at the Bank of Baroda. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in his favor, the bank's actions led to a prolonged struggle, ultimately affecting his career progression.
Lalit C. Joshi, an experienced bank worker, started his career at Dena Bank in 1983. Over the years, he moved up the ladder, reaching the Middle Management Grade, Scale-III by 2012. The next step? Scale-IV, which would make him a Chief Manager.
In 2014, Dena Bank announced a promotion process that included tests, group discussions, interviews, and performance reviews. Joshi did well in the tests but didn't make the final list. Confused, he sought answers through the Right to Information Act.
"The Bank had never told Lalit C. Joshi about the negative performance review score for 2012."
After a series of legal battles, the Supreme Court decided in 2019 that the negative remarks from 2012, which Joshi was not informed about, should not impact his promotion. They ordered a review of his case.
Following the Supreme Court's order, the Bank of Baroda held a new interview in 2020 but gave Joshi a low score, effectively blocking his promotion again.
"Lalit C. Joshi was the only one made to go through the interview in which the Bank of Baroda gave him 09 marks out of 30."
The court found the bank's actions unfair. It decided that Joshi should have been promoted to Scale-IV in 2015 and Scale-V by 2018. The bank was ordered to pay him back the money he would have earned and adjust his pension accordingly.
Joshi's struggle for fair treatment eventually led to a legal victory, ensuring he received the promotions he deserved.
