Govt Staff Can’t Be Fired Solely on Conviction without Independent Hearing : Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that a government employee cannot be terminated automatically on the basis of a criminal conviction.

Quashing the dismissal of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) driver convicted under Sections 279 and 304A IPC, the Court held that the disciplinary authority must independently assess the nature of the offence, service record, and mitigating factors.

The Bench observed that termination without such application of mind violates due process, reaffirming that conviction alone is not enough to end service.

[Shiv Raj v Himachal Road Transport Corporation and Anr.]