BANK OF INDIA vs BHIMSEN GOCHHAYAT

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to reinstate Bhimsen Gochhayat, who was initially convicted under Section 468 IPC for forgery but later acquitted by the appellate court. The Court emphasized that the acquittal in the criminal case should be considered in the departmental inquiry, as the charges were not substantiated. The ruling clarified that an acquittal in a criminal trial impacts the validity of subsequent disciplinary actions based on the same allegations, reinforcing the principle of double jeopardy under Article 20(2) of the Constitution.