State Of U.P.& Ors vs Luxmi Kant Shukla

The Supreme Court addressed the procedural fairness in disciplinary proceedings against a member of the Provincial Civil Services under the U.P. Fundamental Rules, 1942. The Court held that an ex-parte enquiry conducted without giving the respondent an opportunity to present his case violated the principles of natural justice, necessitating a fresh enquiry. The Court directed that the enquiry should commence afresh from the stage of the charge-sheet, thereby upholding the respondent's right to a fair hearing.