STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs S. SREE RAMA RAO

The Supreme Court held that the High Court lacks jurisdiction to interfere with departmental inquiries under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The Court clarified that the standard of proof in departmental proceedings is not the same as in criminal trials, and the High Court should only ensure that the inquiry was conducted by a competent authority and followed due process. In this case, the Court found that the inquiry was properly conducted, natural justice was observed, and there was sufficient evidence to support the disciplinary action taken against the respondent, thus upholding the dismissal order.