STATE OF HARYANA vs RANBIR SINGH

The Supreme Court held that the dismissal of the respondent was null and void due to non-compliance with Rule 16.38 of the Punjab Police Rules, which mandates obtaining prior concurrence from the District Magistrate for departmental inquiries when a judicial prosecution is pending. The Court affirmed the Trial Court's decision that reinstatement was warranted but without back wages, as the respondent admitted to being inebriated during duty hours. The appeal by the Department was partly allowed, maintaining the reinstatement order but denying back wages.