Higher Rank, Higher Accountability – SC Restores Dismissal, Rejects Parity with Co-Delinquents

Punjab & Sind Bank Vs Raj Kumar (Supreme Court of India) The Supreme Court restored the punishment of dismissal from service, holding that parity in punishment cannot be claimed where roles, rank, and responsibility differ. In this case, the respondent (a Senior Manager) was dismissed for misconduct involving misappropriation and connivance, while co-delinquents (a junior officer and a gunman) were awarded lesser punishments. The High Court had reduced the penalty to compulsory retirement, citing Article 14 (parity). The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that: Judicial interference in ...