Dear Suraj,
Following are my comments: -
a) If the discrepancy was detected in your claim eight months after the travel or eight months since the claim was raised even then also company has complete right to initiate disciplinary action against you. The discrepancy might have been observed by the auditors also.
b) If your company has fixed some slabs for the travel allowance and you had exceeded the limit then your contention is that your company should have paid you as per your eligibility. Why company paid excess amount? But then question comes, did you claim excess amount than your authorisation? If yes, why?
c) Suppose, you had exceeded the expenditure however, submitted the bill only for the amount for which you were eligible. Nevertheless, without looking at the amount mentioned in the claim, company paid the full amount as per the attached bills. Even in that case also why you did not submit application for the refund of the excess amount?
d) About suspension and termination: - Whatever the type of misconduct, your company should have conducted domestic enquiry and then awarded the suitable punishment. However, in your post, nowhere you have written about domestic enquiry. If such enquiry is not conducted then your termination is illegal.
Solution: - I recommend you talking to HR Head for reducing the punishment. Accept your fault. You may tell him to impose the penalty that is 'X' times the claimed amount. If they accept your plea, you will be able to protect your employment. This in itself will be major achievement. Raising the excess claim, does it merit termination? Is it at par with embezzlement? I do not have any case law. Other members may give their opinions.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar