T.V. Patel, a clerk employed with the Indian Railways, was dismissed from service after a disciplinary inquiry found him guilty of misconduct. The inquiry was conducted under the Railway Servants ... (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968. Patel challenged his dismissal before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which quashed the order on the ground that the procedure prescribed by law had not been properly followed. The Union of India appealed to the High Court, which upheld the CAT’s order. Dissatisfied, the Union of India then approached the Supreme Court.