STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs BABULAL BHARTIYA

The Supreme Court held that the disciplinary authority has the power to withhold payment of arrears of salary as a mode of punishment under the relevant service rules. The Court found that the charges against the respondent conductor were proved, and thus the disciplinary authority's decision to impose stoppage of increments and withhold salary was justified. The Court dismissed the civil suit, affirming that the civil court lacks jurisdiction to substitute the punishment imposed by the disciplinary authority.