Indian Banker Who Tested Positive Goes To Office Dragging Oxygen Cylinder After Being Denied Leave

An Indian bank employee recovering from Covid-19 turned up for work in Jharkhand with oxygen support. He claimed that he was denied leave by seniors, and that his resignation was also not approved.

Arvind Kumar is employed as a manager at one of the branches of Punjab National Bank's (PNB) in Bokaro.

In a viral video of the incident that took place last week, Kumar is seen reaching his office leaning on his wife. They are accompanied by their son who is seen dragging the oxygen cylinder into the building with him, according to Hindustan Times' sister publication Livehindustan.

The bank said that Kumar's family members made a video of the incident and shared it on social media. He is seen going to the cabin of his senior, and arguing with him.

Kumar is heard saying in the video, "The doctors have said that it will take three months for me to be fully recovered because the infection has spread to my lungs. Why am I being harassed?"

Kumar's family said that he resigned after he was not allowed to take leave, but his resignation was not accepted. They also claimed that the bank is threatening to cut his salary which made him go to office despite his health condition. Kumar was sent home after the argument with his senior.

Following the incident, PNB Bokaro Circle Office issued a statement saying that Kumar staged a drama to defame his colleagues and the bank. They also said that it was an attempt to put pressure on them to drop charges against him and stop recovery proceedings of his NPA loan accounts, reported India.com. They also claimed that Kumar's resignation was rejected as a departmental inquiry is pending against him.

He also remained absent without authorization for more than two years from the bank.

"It is wrong to insinuate that he was asked by his superiors to report for duty despite his status as a recovering Covid patient. Paid leave is given to all eligible employees who contract the virus in the interest of such employees as well as others who are at risk of getting the information from them. Thus it is baseless to suggest that he was forced to report for duty," read the press note issued by the bank.