Supreme Court of India · 1973-11-23
E. P. ROYAPPA vs STATE OF TAMIL NADU & ANR.
- Citation / case number
- SC 1972/60320
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- E. P. ROYAPPA
- Respondent
- STATE OF TAMIL NADU & ANR.
- Author
- RAY, A.N. (),PALEKAR, D.G.,CHANDRACHUD, Y.V.,BHAGWATI, P.N.,KRISHNAIYER, V.R.
- Bench
- RAY, A.N. (CJ),PALEKAR, D.G.,CHANDRACHUD, Y.V.,BHAGWATI, P.N.,KRISHNAIYER, V.R.
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court ruled that mere violation of the Indian Administrative Service (Pay) Rules, 1954, specifically Rule 9(1), does not constitute an infringement of fundamental rights under Article 32 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that for the transfer of an acting Chief Secretary to a non-cadre post, it must be demonstrated that such posts are inferior in status and responsibility, as per Articles 14 and 16. The judgment clarified that the onus of proving mala fides lies heavily on the petitioner, especially when grave imputations are made against a high-ranking official.