IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
SUJOY PAUL, CJ, PARTHA SARATHI SEN
Union of India – Appellant
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
PARTHA SARATHI SEN, J.
1. In this writ petition as filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India the order dated 24.07.2009 passed in OA No. 763 of 2004 by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Kolkata Bench (Tribunal in short) is assailed. While passing the impugned order the said Tribunal upheld the enhanced punishment of the original applicant as imposed by the appellate authority that is “removal from service” which has been affirmed by the revisional authority.
2. For effective adjudication of the instant writ petition, the facts leading to filing of the said OA are required to be dealt in a nutshell. In the year 1994 the writ petitioner was posted as Senior TNC/NH and on 06.06.1994 he was served with a memorandum containing article of charge for alleged contravention of Rule 3(1)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Railway Service Conduct Rules, 1966 (‘Rules’ in short) together with a statement of imputation of charge containing alleged fraudulent act with an intention to defraud the railway administration.
3. On the basis of the aforementioned charge and statement of imputation of charge, an in-house enquiry was held wherein the enquiry officer found that the charge as fr
The acquittal in a criminal case does not override findings from a domestic enquiry due to differing standards of proof.
Disciplinary proceedings can continue despite acquittal in a criminal case, focusing on preponderance of probabilities rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court emphasized that the enhancement of penalty, the nature of the petitioner's acquittal, and the proportionality of the punishment were crucial in reaching its decision.
Acquittal in a criminal trial does not automatically invalidate disciplinary proceedings, but substantial overlaps in evidence may necessitate reconsideration of the latter's findings. Procedural fai....
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