State Of Punjab And Anr. vs Dalbir Singh And Ors.

The Supreme Court held that the initiation of departmental proceedings against an employee for alleged misconduct does not constitute double jeopardy under Article 20(2) of the Constitution, even if a penalty has been imposed under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Court affirmed the Full Bench decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, stating that payment of a penalty does not absolve the employee from other liabilities nor prevent the employer from pursuing disciplinary action. Consequently, the Civil Appeals filed by the State Government were allowed, while the appeal by the delinquent employee was dismissed.