#CCA Rules

The Supreme Court ruled that a minor penalty imposed post-reinstatement in a departmental inquiry must relate back to the initial termination date, entitling the officer to back wages, notional benefits, and consequential promotions. The judgment quashed contempt proceedings with a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs and directed payment of arrears with interest, reinforcing the doctrine of retrospective effect in service law.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed a ₹38.7 lakh recovery against an engineer, ruling that disciplinary actions relying on third-party audits without adherence to Rule 20 of the CCA Rules and influenced by political pressure are legally invalid. The judgment reinforces that due process and natural justice are mandatory in service law proceedings, protecting employees from arbitrary recoveries.

The Karnataka High Court ruled that an ombudsman's exoneration does not preclude disciplinary action under the CCA Rules. Disciplinary penalties are valid if supported by a preponderance of probabilities, even without criminal-level proof, reinforcing the autonomy of administrative proceedings from quasi-judicial findings.