In Brief
A police constable dismissed after a disciplinary enquiry for alleged involvement in murder was acquitted in a criminal trial due to hostile witnesses. The High Court set aside the dismissal and ordered reinstatement. The Supreme Court held that the standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings (preponderance of probabilities) differs from criminal trials (beyond reasonable doubt). An acquittal based on benefit of doubt, rather than an honourable acquittal, does not automatically conclude disciplinary action. The Court found sufficient circumstantial evidence—prior enmity, proximity to the incident, death threats—supporting that reinstatement would harm public confidence in the police. It set aside reinstatement, upholding cessation from service without back wages, while granting retiral dues.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.