Supreme Court upholds harsher punishment for higher authority

The Supreme Court ruled that higher rank officials face harsher penalties for service misdeeds due to increased responsibility. Upholding differential punishments for bank employees involved in misappropriating funds, the apex court reinstated a senior manager's sacking, while an officer faced forced retirement and a gunman a salary cut. Courts must exercise restraint in interfering with disciplinary actions.

By AMIT ANAND CHOUDHARY