Quashing the dismissal orders of 26 Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel, who had been charged for smuggling liquor on board an ICG ship, over procedural lapses in proceedings against them, the Delhi High Court has ruled that procedural fairness and integrity are of utmost importance as they ensure an unbiased investigation and adjudication thereof.

The personnel concerned were posted on ICG Ship Sarthak, which was en route from Goa to Porbandar in Gujarat. Based on inputs, a search of the ship was carried out during which 1,512 bottles of liquor were found stashed in hidden places, in consequence of which they were dismissed from service in February 2024.

The 26 personnel fell under two categories based upon the type of proceedings they were subjected to. One category of 15 personnel face

See Full Page