Disciplinary Penalty Must Be Proportionate, Penalty Imposed After Retirement Modified: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that penalties imposed in departmental proceedings must be proportionate to the gravity of misconduct proved. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar observed that courts can interfere under Article 226 Constitution of India only when findings in disciplinary proceedings are arbitrary, disproportionate, procedurally illegal, or cause manifest prejudice. The Court modified a major penalty imposed on a retired bank officer, holding it to be excessive.…