STATE OF PUNJAB vs PREM SARUP

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, affirming that a police officer cannot be subjected to departmental punishment after being acquitted in a criminal case under Section 170 IPC, as per Rule 16.3 of the Police Rules, 1934. The Court emphasized that the acquittal was not on technical grounds and the prosecution witnesses were not credible, thus barring any disciplinary action based on the same allegations. The appeal against the High Court's dismissal was therefore rejected, maintaining the legality of the acquittal and the subsequent disciplinary proceedings.