The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that delayed disciplinary action can make the entire process illegal. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar said long delays allow bias, misuse of power, and harm an officer’s chance to defend themselves.
The case involved an employee charge-sheeted in September 2014, just months before retirement. The inquiry officer cleared him, yet the punishing authority cut his pension by 5% for a year in October 2018 without explaining the disagreement. The appeal was dismissed without reviewing the inquiry report.
The court stressed that if the disciplinary authority disagrees with the inquiry officer, it must explain its reasons. Justice Brar noted that natural justice requires giving the officer a hearing before imposing punishment. Failing this, along with issuing the charge-sheet late, made the process arbitrary and abusive.
The High Court allowed the petition and quashed the punishment order. It directed the corporation to release all benefits due to the employee, with 6% annual interest from the date of filing until full payment.
