Overview The Supreme Court on 1 April 2026 ruled that when an employee denies the charges in a departmental enquiry , the employer cannot rely solely on unadmitted documentary evidence . The employer must produce a witness so that the employee can exercise the right of cross‑examination . The judgment overturned the dismissal of an employee of the U.P. Cooperative Federation Ltd. and ordered a fresh inquiry. Key Developments The Court rejected the employer’s claim that a “evasive denial” amounted to admission. It reiterated that the burden of proof rests on the department when the charge is not admitted. No witness was produced in the original enquiry; therefore the proceedings were deemed vitiated. The dismissal and salary recovery were set aside. The employer was given six months to conduct a de novo enquiry in compliance with law. Important Facts • Case title: Jai Prakash Saini v. Managing Director, U.P. Cooperative Federation Ltd. & Ors. • Date of judgment: 1 April 2026 • Charges against employee: Embezzlement of ₹2,00,850 and shortage of over 1,000 quintals of paddy. • Employee’s response: Denied both charges in the charge‑sheet. • Procedural lapse: Department relied only on documents, produced no witness, denying the employee a chance to challenge the evidence. Relevance for UPSC The judgment underscores fundamental principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, core topics in GS‑2 (Polity) . Aspirants should note: The right to a fair hearing includes the opportunity to confront and cross‑examine evidence. In disciplinary m