MAKHANLAL WAZA & ORS. vs STATE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the Government could not dismiss the appellant from service based on findings of the enquiry officer when the Inspector-General had exonerated him, as the Government's power under Section 3 of the relevant Act must be exercised in light of the provisions of Section 7 and Rule 851(b). The Court clarified that the Government's role was limited to sustaining or rejecting the Inspector-General's order, and it could not reassess findings that were not appealed against. The dismissal order was thus set aside, reinforcing the principle that appellate powers cannot extend to re-evaluating unchallenged findings.