Supreme Court Judge Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi has called for the fair treatment of officials facing disciplinary actions, emphasizing the serious consequences of dismissal. In a dissenting note, Justice Naqvi highlighted the stigma, financial and reputational losses, and mental distress associated with dismissal, underscoring that it not only affects the individual but their entire family, whose needs depend on the job and salary. The judge urged departmental authorities to observe general principles of law, emphasizing the obligation to ensure a just and fair process.
The case involved the dismissal of two Punjab Police officials, upheld by the Punjab Service Tribunal. While the majority judges supported concurrent criminal and disciplinary proceedings, citing gross misconduct, Justice Naqvi warned against hasty dismissals without careful consideration of prevailing circumstances. He expressed concern about the decline in societal discipline and character, urging courts to evaluate facts comprehensively to prevent the infiltration of harmful elements. Justice Naqvi emphasized the need for a just conclusion to curb societal evils and maintain the integrity of the legal system.
