Union Of India & Ors vs P.C.Ramakrishnayya

The Supreme Court held that the appointment of a retired officer as an Inquiry Officer under Rule 14(2) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 is invalid, as only serving officers are competent to conduct such inquiries. The Court upheld the findings of the Central Administrative Tribunal and the High Court, which had set aside the punishment imposed on the respondent due to the invalid inquiry. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, affirming the lower courts' decisions.