Quantum of punishment in disciplinary matters is something that rests primarily with the disciplinary authority and the jurisdiction of a writ Court or Administrative Tribunal is limited to find out whether the punishment is so outrageously disproportionate as to the suggestive of lack of good faith.
“19. That the punishment imposed upon a delinquent should be commensurate to the nature and generally of the misconduct, is not only a requirement of fairness, objectivity, and non-discriminatory treatment which even those form quality (sic) of a misdemeanour are entitled to claim but the same is recognised as being a part of Article 14 of the Constitution. It is also evident from the long line of decisions referred to above that the courts in India have recognised the doctrine of proportionality as one of the ground for judicial review. Having said that we need to remember that the quantum of punishment in disciplinary matters is something that rests primarily with the disciplinary authority. The jurisdiction of a writ court or the Administrative Tribunal for that matter is limited to finding out whether the punishment is so outrageously disproportionate as to be suggestive of lack of good faith.”
Charanjit Lamba v. Commanding Officer, Army Southern Command, (2010) 11 SCC 314
