In Brief
A police inspector was dismissed from service after departmental proceedings found him guilty of demanding illegal gratification. Although he was acquitted in the subsequent criminal trial, the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal and High Court set aside the dismissal, finding discrepancies in witness evidence. The Supreme Court held that a High Court or Tribunal cannot reappreciate evidence or interfere with disciplinary findings merely because of witness discrepancies or because a criminal court acquitted the officer. Judicial review is limited to ensuring procedural fairness and compliance with natural justice, not reweighing evidence. The Court restored the dismissal order, emphasizing that disciplinary and criminal standards of proof differ and that disciplinary authorities are the sole judges of facts when inquiries are fairly conducted.
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