In Brief
A Railway Protection Force sub-inspector was compulsorily retired after an enquiry found him guilty of gross neglect of duty in failing to properly register FIRs and prevent theft of railway property. The High Court set aside this order and directed reinstatement with backwages. The Supreme Court held that the High Court improperly re-appreciated evidence as an appellate authority. In disciplinary proceedings, courts may only intervene when findings are based on no evidence or procedures violate natural justice. Here, the enquiry was properly conducted with concurrent findings of guilt across all authorities. The Court reinstated the compulsory retirement order, upholding it as proportionate to the officer's serious breaches of duty in protecting railway property and the requirement for absolute integrity in the post."
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