Keywords: Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that judicial review cannot be exercised to re-appreciate the evidence presented in departmental enquiry proceedings. The decision was made in a case involving Pallavi Mishra on June 3, 2023, at 10:10 AM.
According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the scope of judicial review is limited when it comes to departmental enquiries. The court stated that it cannot re-evaluate or reassess the evidence presented during such proceedings. The purpose of departmental enquiries is to examine the conduct of an employee and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.
The court emphasized that it is not within its purview to substitute its own findings or interfere with the decision-making process of the departmental authorities. The role of the court is to ensure that the enquiry proceedings were conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice and that there was no violation of fundamental rights.
This ruling highlights the importance of respecting the authority and expertise of departmental authorities in conducting enquiries and making disciplinary decisions. It establishes a clear boundary for the judiciary in reviewing such proceedings, focusing on procedural fairness rather than re-evaluating the evidence presented.
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Written by- Nitin Pradhan, College name – Army Law College , an intern under Legal Vidhiya