In Brief
A CRPF Head Constable carelessly cleaned a loaded carbine without removing its magazine, causing eight rounds to fire; one bullet struck a colleague who died. He was dismissed from service after a disciplinary enquiry but acquitted in a related criminal trial under Section 304 IPC. The High Court set aside dismissal, treating criminal acquittal as vitiating the misconduct finding. The Supreme Court allowed the Union's appeal, holding that disciplinary proceedings operate under a lower standard of proof (preponderance of probability) than criminal trials (beyond reasonable doubt). Criminal acquittal does not automatically vitiate disciplinary findings. The Court found negligence in weapon handling established by undisputed facts and departmental instructions violated, making dismissal sustainable and proportionate.
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