Rules of natural Justice - Disciplinary Authority

“Furthermore, the order of disciplinary authority as also the appellate authority are not supported by any reason. As the orders passed by them have severe civil consequences, appropriate reasons should have assigned. If the enquiry officer had relied upon the confession made by the appellant, there was no reason as to why the order of discharge passed by the criminal Court on the basis of selfsame evidence should not have been taken into consideration. The materials brought on record pointing out the guilt are required to be proved. A decision must be arrived at on some evidence, which is legally admissible. The provisions of the Evidence Act may not be applicable in a departmental proceeding but the principles of natural justice are. As the report of the enquiry officer was based on merely ipse dixit as also surmises and conjectures, the same could not have been sustained. The inference drawn by the enquiry officer apparently were not supported by any evidence. Suspicion as is well known, however high may be, can under no circumstances be held to be substitute for legal proof.

2008 SCeJ 001 Roop Singh Negi v. Punjab National Bank (2009) 2 SCC 570

In a domestic enquiry fairness in the procedure is a part of the principles of natural justice.

Khem Chand v. Union of India 1958 SCR 1080

State of U.P v. Om Prakash Gupta 1969 3 SCC 775

It is not possible to lay down any rigid rules of the principles of natural justice which depend on the facts and circumstances of each case but the concept of fair play in action is the basis.

Sawai Singh v. State Of Rajasthan. 1986 3 SCC 454