Citation : 2025 Local Law (SC) 1313
The Supreme Court has overturned a Rajasthan High Court order that had reinstated a Branch Post-Master removed from service for misappropriating depositors’ money. The top court said the misconduct was clearly proved and the High Court should not have interfered with the findings of the departmental authorities.
During an inspection in June 2011, officials found that the Branch Post-Master had taken deposits from customers and entered them in their passbooks, but failed to record the transactions in official postal registers. He had misappropriated ₹5,266. In the departmental inquiry, he admitted the wrongdoing and said he later deposited the amount.
The Court noted that people trust postal staff with their money, and entries made in passbooks create confidence. If those entries do not match official records, it amounts to a serious breach of trust. The judges said that returning the money later does not erase the misconduct.
The respondent had claimed he made the mistake due to lack of knowledge of the rules, but the Court rejected this, pointing out that he had more than 12 years of service and was fully aware of his duties.
The Supreme Court stressed that courts cannot re-examine evidence in departmental inquiries unless the findings are clearly unreasonable. It held that the High Court wrongly reassessed the evidence even though the inquiry was proper and the charges were proven.
Since the post involves handling public money, the Bench said the misconduct should be taken seriously. It found the High Court’s reinstatement order unjustified.
The Supreme Court allowed the Union of India’s appeal, set aside the High Court’s order, and restored the punishment of removal from service.
Case Details:
Union of India & Others v. Indraj
Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan
Civil Appeal No. 13183 of 2025
