Conducting disciplinary inquiry through video conferencing – Railway Board directives to adhere prescribed guidelines of GSR No.286(E) and GSR No.287(E)
भारत सरकार (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)
रेल मंत्रालय (MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS)
रेलवे बोर्ड (RAILWAY BOARD)
No.2026/V-1/DAR/13/1
Date 14/01/2026
The General Managers
All Zonal Railways/PUs
The SDGMs/CVOs
All Zonal Railways/PUs
The Director General
All Railway Institutes & RDSO
Sub: Conducting disciplinary inquiry through video conferencing – adhering to prescribed guidelines of GSR No. 286(E) and GSR No. 287 (E)
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Rule 9(2) of Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968 was amended vide Gazette Notification bearing GSR No. 286(E) dated 22.05.2024 and regulations in pursuance thereto was notified vide GSR No. 287(E) dated 22.05.2024. A copy is enclosed for ready reference.
2. Vide GSR No. 286(E), the following proviso was inserted in sub-rule (2) of rule 9: “Provided further that in exceptional circumstances such as a pandemic or natural calamities or when the disciplinary authority is satisfied for the reasons to be recorded by it in writing, the disciplinary authority may itself inquire into or may authorize an Inquiring Authority to inquire into the truth of any imputation of misconduct or misbehaviour against a Railway Servant through the aid of the digital mode of Video Conferencing, either wholly or in parts, in accordance with the regulations framed by the Central Government in the Ministry of Railways.”
3. In a recent DAR case arising out of a vigilance case pertaining to one unit, inquiry was conducted through video-conferencing by RIO without obtaining prior approval of DA. Subsequently, Secretary Directorate of Railway Board has decided that the inquiry proceedings in the case and inquiry report thereon cannot be treated as legally tenable and has advised the Railway to conduct de novo inquiry in the case. Thus, the entire DAR proceedings have become a futile exercise. Similar cases have occurred in few other Zonal Railways too.
4. It is, therefore, advised to review the ongoing DAR cases and ensure that the above guidelines are being strictly followed in each case. Further, it is advised to bring these guidelines to the knowledge of DAs and RIOs, each time a disciplinary proceeding is instituted and RIO is appointed.
5. This has the approval of PED (Vigilance) and CVO/ Ministry of Railways.
DA: As above
(Alind Shekhar)
Director Vigilance (E)
Railway Board
COMMENTS