Arvind Kumar Singh v. the Union of India
Service law – Departmental proceeding – Judicial review under Article 226
Case brief
What is this about?
W.P.(S) No. 1773 of 2022, High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi, Ananda Sen, J., pronounced 24.01.2025 (reserved 07.01.2025): CISF Constable Arvind Kumar Singh's challenge to one-stage pay-reduction punishment (Rs.35,300/- to Rs.34,300/-, Level 4, one year) for leaving the Covid isolation centre while positive and mixing with civilians is dismissed; Article 226 judicial review of departmental proceedings is limited — no re-appreciation of evidence, no interference with a lawfully conducted enquiry, no review of adequacy/reliability of evidence, no correction of errors of fact, proportionality examined only if punishment shocks the conscience; complaints of withheld documents and Enquiry Officer bias rejected; prior minor punishments counted towards quantum; relies on Rajendra Kumar Dubey (2020 SCC OnLine SC 954), S. Sree Rama Rao (1963 AIR SC 1723) and S. Mohammed Gaffar ((2002) 7 SCC 168).