JASWANT SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the dismissal of a policeman under Article 311(2) of the Constitution, which dispenses with a departmental enquiry, requires the authority to demonstrate that it is not reasonably practicable to hold such an enquiry. The Court found that the Assistant Inspector-General's reasoning was arbitrary and lacked independent justification, thus allowing the appeal and reinstating the appellant. The judgment emphasized that the authority's satisfaction must be based on objective facts rather than mere assertions.