Disciplinary Action Can't Be Upheld When Employee Was Acquitted In Criminal Case Over Similar Evidence : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that disciplinary action against an employee cannot be upheld when the employee was acquitted in a criminal case based on the same evidence. The court reasoned that an acquittal by a criminal court, after a full trial, should have a bearing on departmental proceedings involving similar charges and evidence. This ruling emphasizes the importance of consistency and the impact of judicial findings on internal disciplinary matters, protecting employees from double jeopardy based on the same set of facts. The judgment underscores the need for departmental inquiries to consider the outcome of related criminal trials.