UNION OF INDIA vs B.V.GOPINATH

The Supreme Court ruled that the charge sheet issued against the respondents under Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, was without jurisdiction as it lacked the necessary approval from the Finance Minister, despite the initiation of major penalty proceedings. The Court emphasized that the approval of the disciplinary authority is a prerequisite for the validity of the charge sheet. Consequently, the Court quashed the charge sheet and held that the disciplinary proceedings were invalid due to non-compliance with procedural requirements.