In Brief
A police officer challenged a disciplinary charge-sheet alleging it was vague and that delay in concluding the enquiry had prejudiced him. A tribunal quashed the charge-sheet, citing delay and ambiguity. The High Court affirmed. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the charge-sheet was sufficiently clear and detailed. The Court ruled that delay alone, without demonstrated prejudice to the officer's right to defend, does not justify quashing an enquiry. Once an application to quash was declined, reopening it on grounds of delay was impermissible. The enquiry was directed to proceed expeditiously to conclusion.
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