HARJIT SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court addressed the dismissal of police constables under Rule 16.2 of the Punjab Police Rules, which mandates that dismissal should only be for grave misconduct or cumulative misconduct indicating unfitness for service. The Court held that the absence of the constables from duty did not constitute grave misconduct warranting dismissal, as their absence was not serious enough to prove incorrigibility. The Court upheld the appellate court's decision to reinstate the constables, emphasizing that mere absence from duty for a short duration does not justify dismissal.