STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS. vs RAM SINGH EX. CONSTABLE

The Supreme Court held that the dismissal of the respondent for being heavily drunk while on duty violated Rule 16.2(1) of the Punjab Police Manual, which mandates dismissal only for gravest acts of misconduct. The Court clarified that misconduct must involve moral turpitude or unlawful behavior, not mere errors in judgment. The dismissal was restored, emphasizing that even a single act of serious misconduct could warrant dismissal, provided it affects the discipline of the police service.