State Of Punjab & Anr vs Hari Singh

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, affirming the trial court's ruling that the punishment order against the respondent was illegal due to lack of authority by the Senior Superintendent of Police, as the respondent was promoted by the Deputy Inspector General. The Court emphasized that the failure to provide necessary documents during the departmental inquiry rendered the proceedings vitiated. Consequently, the Court dismissed the appeal, maintaining the respondent's entitlement to his annual increments and restraining the recovery of costs associated with the alleged theft.