Secretary, Ministry Of Home Affairs And ... vs Tahir Ali Khan Tyagi

The Supreme Court held that departmental proceedings can be initiated even after an acquittal in a criminal case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as the standards of proof differ between the two proceedings. The Court clarified that Rule 12 of the Delhi Police (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1980 allows for departmental inquiries to proceed if prosecution witnesses are found to be unreliable. The Court set aside the tribunal's order quashing the departmental proceedings and directed their continuation, thus allowing the appeal.