Bombay High Court Upholds MSRTC's Right To Dismiss Conductor For Repeated Misconduct; Domestic Inquiries Do Not Require The Same Standard Of Proof As Judicial Proceedings

The Bombay High Court upheld the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) right to dismiss a conductor for repeated misconduct. The court ruled that domestic inquiries do not require the same standard of proof as judicial proceedings. The conductor was dismissed after multiple instances of misconduct, and the court found that the domestic inquiry was conducted fairly. The court emphasized that the standard of proof in domestic inquiries is based on the preponderance of probabilities rather than beyond a reasonable doubt. This decision underscores the authority of employers to take disciplinary action against employees for misconduct, provided the inquiry process is fair and reasonable.