In Brief
An officer was convicted in a criminal case and dismissed from service. The High Court later acquitted him, but only on the benefit of doubt, not on a full exoneration. The officer sought full restoration of service benefits and arrears. The Supreme Court held that an acquittal based on benefit of doubt does not constitute the "full exoneration" required under Rule 56(2) of the Kerala Service Rules to grant full pay and allowances. The competent authority must separately consider under Rule 56(1) what benefits, if any, to restore. The appeal was dismissed as the acquittal does not automatically entitle the officer to full service restoration.
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