STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH & ORS. vs CHITRA VENKATA RAO

The Supreme Court clarified that the High Court's jurisdiction under Article 226 is supervisory and does not extend to re-evaluating factual findings from departmental inquiries unless there is a violation of natural justice or the inquiry is conducted improperly. The Court held that the standard of proof in misconduct cases against public officers is not the same as in criminal trials, and the High Court cannot equate misconduct charges with criminal charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The dismissal of the respondent was upheld as the Tribunal's findings were not arbitrary or capricious.