In Brief
A judicial officer was found to have misconducted himself by awarding excessive land compensation to subsequent purchasers who had no legal right to such compensation, in violation of the Transfer of Property Act and Land Acquisition Act. The High Court held him guilty of 11 charges and reduced his pension benefits from 90% to 70%. On appeal, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's judgment, holding that a judge who passes judicial orders actuated by corrupt motive or to unduly favor a party, regardless of monetary consideration, commits misconduct subject to disciplinary action. Courts may review departmental inquiries only for violation of natural justice or procedural defects, not for reassessing evidence adequacy. The appeal was dismissed as the inquiry was fairly conducted and findings were evidence-based.
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