Acquittal In Criminal Case Doesn't Bar Departmental Proceedings Against Public Servant : SC

The Supreme Court ruled that an acquittal in a criminal case does not prevent departmental proceedings against a public servant.

The Court emphasized the well-established principle that the standard of proof in a criminal trial is that criminal trial is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Whereas, departmental inquiry is based on the “preponderance of probabilities.” It stated that evidence rejected by a criminal court can still be used in departmental inquiries. 

The ruling reaffirms that even if a public servant is acquitted of corruption charges, they can still face disciplinary action based on separate standards for departmental inquiries.