Dr I Vijayakumar vs M/O Finance on 2 November, 2021
11 0A 448/2020
and on what account the delay has occurred. If the delay is unexplained
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prejudice to the delinquent employee is writ large on the face of it. It could
also be seen as to how much disciplinary authority is serious in pursuing the
charges against its emplcyee. It is the basic principle of administrative
justice that an officer entrusted with a particular job has to perform his
duties honestly, efficiently and in accordance with the rules. If he deviates
from this path he is to suffer a penalty prescribed. Normally, disciplinary
proceedings should be allowed to take its course as per relevant rules but
then delay defeats justice. Delay causes prejudice to the charged offi cer
unless it can be shown that he is to blame for the delay or when there is
proper explanation for the delay in conducting the disciplinary proceedings.
Ultimately, the Court is to balance these two diverse considerations."
vi. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Union of India & others Vs.
Swathi Patil in Civil Appeal No. 3881 of2007 (arising out of SLP(C) No. 17417 6f2006) has
held as under:-