Union Of India & Ors vs P.Thayagarajan on 24 November, 1998
16. A perusal of the above passage makes it clear that it is not a rule of the thumb that in no circumstances, come what may, de-novo inquiry cannot be ordered. Facts of each case have to be seen in the light of observation in above quoted law. Our own jurisdictional High Court has considered a similar controversy in the case of Union of India and others Vs. Shashi Bhushan and another , 2011(1) RSJ 506, where Division Bench, after noticing the judgment (relied upon by the applicant herein also) in case of K.R.Dev Vs. CCE, 1971(2) SCC 102 and Union of India Vs. P. Thayagaraian, 1999(1) SCC 733, has come to the conclusion that if the disciplinary authority comes with definite finding that there is procedural lapse in conducting the enquiry, then he can order de novo enquiry under rule 15(1) of the 1965 Rules.