State Of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By The ... vs M. Mangayarkarasi And Etc.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court affirming the Single Judge's order that substituted the removal of two employees from service with a lesser penalty of stoppage of increments for two years. The Court emphasized that the nature of the charges against the employees was procedural and that the principle of parity in punishment should be applied, as similar charges against other employees resulted in lesser penalties. The Court found no justification for the harsher punishment given the context of the disciplinary proceedings and the established principle of proportionality in service law.