CAT quashes penalty of censure imposed on policeman

The penalty of censure imposed by Delhi Police on one of its Inspectors has been quashed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) which said it was a case of "invidious" and "hostile discrimination".
The Tribunal set aside the penalty order after comparing the treatment meted out to Inspector Ved Bhushan with that of two other SHOs against whom similar show cause notices were issued, who were not penalised.
"A careful perusal of the two cases (of petitioner and other two SHOs) clearly makes out a case of invidious discrimination of the applicant (Ved Bhushan) which cannot be sustained in law.

"It is pertinent to note that neither Inspector Vijay Kumar nor Inspector Sanjay Drall (other two SHOs) adduced any documentary evidence in support of their case. To take a different approach in the case of the applicant would certainly have the effect of subjecting him to hostile discrimination which can not be sustained in law," a bench of members Dharam Paul Sharma and Manjulika Gautam said.
The penalty of censure had been imposed on the police officer, who was SHO of Vikas Marg area here during 2009, for allegedly failing to control encroachment on the sidewalk and road by the shopkeepers during Diwali celebrations.

The forum noted that Inspector Bhushan was the first of the three to reply to the show cause notice and had given all necessary details, yet he was penalised for not providing documentary evidence.
It also noted that Inspector Drall had sent his reply nearly a year late but despite that no action was taken against him.
Inspector Bhushan, in his plea, had said he was issued a show cause notice to which he promptly replied by giving all details of the action taken by him.