In a remarkable turn of events that underscores the long and arduous journey of justice, the Supreme Court of India has finally cleared a railway ticket examiner (TTE) of bribery charges, 37 years after the alleged incident and long after his death.
V M Saudagar, who worked as a TTE on the Dadar–Nagpur Express, was dismissed from service in 1996 following a departmental inquiry that accused him of accepting a bribe of Rs 50 from passengers in 1988. On Monday, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra ruled that there was no conclusive evidence against him, restoring his honour and directing that all consequential monetary benefits, including pension, be released to his legal heirs within three months.
A Bribe That Never Was: How It All Began
The controversy dates back to 31 May 1988, when a railway vigilance team claimed that Saudagar had demanded a total of Rs 50 from three passengers and failed to return Rs 18 in fare balance to one of them. Based on this, a departmental inquiry was launched, and eight years later, in 1996, Saudagar was dismissed from service.
However, the case lacked concrete proof. The vigilance team failed to produce solid evidence, and the testimonies of the passengers did not support the bribery allegation. In fact, two of the three passengers said that Saudagar had not demanded any illegal gratification and that he had clearly told them he would issue a receipt and return the remaining fare once he finished attending to other coaches.
CAT Gave Him Relief, But the Case Got Stuck in Legal Loops
In 2002, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) examined the case and directed the Indian Railways to reinstate Saudagar, holding that the evidence did not justify his dismissal. But instead of complying, the government challenged the CAT order in the Bombay High Court, which stayed the tribunal’s ruling.
Tragically, the case then remained stuck in the High Court for the next 15 years, during which Saudagar passed away. In 2017, the High Court quashed the CAT order and upheld his dismissal, effectively closing the door on his reinstatement. But his family refused to give up and continued the fight for justice.
Supreme Court Steps In: ‘No Evidence of Bribe Demand’
Upon reviewing the decades-old case, the Supreme Court bench found the charges against Saudagar to be baseless. The judges observed that the inquiry officer’s findings were perverse and based on misleading material.
The court said: “All the charges have not been found to be proved conclusively against the appellant. The Central Administrative Tribunal, on the basis of material on record, had rightly interfered with the penalty of dismissal from service.”
The bench further added that the High Court had failed to recognise that when an inquiry officer’s conclusions are unsupported by evidence, the CAT has every right to set aside the penalty.
37 Years, One Man’s Honour, and a Family’s Unbroken Fight
The incident happened nearly four decades ago, on 31 May 1988. Since then, Saudagar’s name had been marred by allegations of corruption, despite the absence of any solid proof. Now, years after his passing, the Supreme Court’s verdict has restored his dignity.
The court directed that all consequential benefits, including pension arrears and other dues, be released to his legal heirs within three months. For Saudagar’s family, it marks the end of a long and painful legal journey, a bittersweet victory that comes too late for the man himself, but not too late for justice.
Inputs from TOI
V M Saudagar, who worked as a TTE on the Dadar–Nagpur Express, was dismissed from service in 1996 following a departmental inquiry that accused him of accepting a bribe of Rs 50 from passengers in 1988. On Monday, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra ruled that there was no conclusive evidence against him, restoring his honour and directing that all consequential monetary benefits, including pension, be released to his legal heirs within three months.
A Bribe That Never Was: How It All Began
The controversy dates back to 31 May 1988, when a railway vigilance team claimed that Saudagar had demanded a total of Rs 50 from three passengers and failed to return Rs 18 in fare balance to one of them. Based on this, a departmental inquiry was launched, and eight years later, in 1996, Saudagar was dismissed from service.
However, the case lacked concrete proof. The vigilance team failed to produce solid evidence, and the testimonies of the passengers did not support the bribery allegation. In fact, two of the three passengers said that Saudagar had not demanded any illegal gratification and that he had clearly told them he would issue a receipt and return the remaining fare once he finished attending to other coaches.
CAT Gave Him Relief, But the Case Got Stuck in Legal Loops
In 2002, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) examined the case and directed the Indian Railways to reinstate Saudagar, holding that the evidence did not justify his dismissal. But instead of complying, the government challenged the CAT order in the Bombay High Court, which stayed the tribunal’s ruling.
Tragically, the case then remained stuck in the High Court for the next 15 years, during which Saudagar passed away. In 2017, the High Court quashed the CAT order and upheld his dismissal, effectively closing the door on his reinstatement. But his family refused to give up and continued the fight for justice.
Supreme Court Steps In: ‘No Evidence of Bribe Demand’
Upon reviewing the decades-old case, the Supreme Court bench found the charges against Saudagar to be baseless. The judges observed that the inquiry officer’s findings were perverse and based on misleading material.
The court said: “All the charges have not been found to be proved conclusively against the appellant. The Central Administrative Tribunal, on the basis of material on record, had rightly interfered with the penalty of dismissal from service.”
The bench further added that the High Court had failed to recognise that when an inquiry officer’s conclusions are unsupported by evidence, the CAT has every right to set aside the penalty.
37 Years, One Man’s Honour, and a Family’s Unbroken Fight
The incident happened nearly four decades ago, on 31 May 1988. Since then, Saudagar’s name had been marred by allegations of corruption, despite the absence of any solid proof. Now, years after his passing, the Supreme Court’s verdict has restored his dignity.
The court directed that all consequential benefits, including pension arrears and other dues, be released to his legal heirs within three months. For Saudagar’s family, it marks the end of a long and painful legal journey, a bittersweet victory that comes too late for the man himself, but not too late for justice.
Inputs from TOI
You may also like
'Aggressive monkeys riddled herpes' on the loose after lorry overturns on motorway
PM Modi, new Japan prime minister exchange first call, discuss strategic ties
No more bumpy flights: How Emirates is using artificial intelligence to make turbulence a thing of the past
Jupiter Bags $15 Mn At A Flat $600 Mn Valuation
Netflix fans warn 'don't watch alone' as they praise 'gripping' crime drama
