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MISCONDUCT, INITIATION OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

[Union Of India Versus K.K. Dhawan AIR 1993 SC 1478]
Para 28: Certainly, therefore, the officer who exercises judicial or quasi-judicial powers acts negligently or recklessly or in order to confer undue favour on a person is not acting as a Judge. Accordingly, the contention of the respondent has to be rejected. It is important to bear in mind that in the present case, we are not concerned with the correctness or legality of the decision of the respondent but the conduct of the respondent in discharge of his duties as an officer. The legality of the orders with reference to the nine assessments may be questioned in appeal or revision under the Act. But we have no doubt in our mind that the Government is not precluded from taking the disciplinary action for violation of the Conduct Rules. Thus, we conclude that the disciplinary action can be taken in the following cases:

i) Where the officer had acted in a manner as would reflect on his reputation for integrity good faith or devotion to duty;

ii) if there is prima facie material to show recklessness or misconduct in the discharge of his duty;

iii) if he has acted in a manner which is unbecoming of a government servant;

iv) if he had acted negligently or that he omitted the prescribed conditions which Are essential for the exercise of the statutory powers;

v) if he had acted in order to unduly favour a party;

vi) if he had been actuated by corrupt motive however, small the bribe may be because Lord Coke said long ago "though the bribe may be small, yet the fault is great."



Sandeep Jalan

Advocate

Law Referencer: https://www.vakeelkanumber.com/

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