Conducting disciplinary inquiry through Video Conferencing under Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968 – Disciplinary Authority may take a conscious decision : RBE No. 65/2026
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (भारत सरकार)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (रेल मंत्रालय)
RAILWAY BOARD (रेलवे बोर्ड)
RBE No. 65/2026
No. E(D&A) 2020 RG6-6
New Delhi, Dated: 12.08.2026
The General Manager (P)
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc.
(As per Standard list).
Sub: Conducting disciplinary inquiry through Video Conferencing under Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968 — reg.
Attention of the Railways is drawn to Board’s letter of even no. dated 29.5.2024 advising amendment of rule 9(2) of Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968 vide GSR No. 286(E) dated 22.5.2024 and notification of regulations in pursuance thereto vide GSR No. 287(E) dated 22.5.2024.
2. . The proviso to rule 9(2) of Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968, as inserted vide notification No. GSR-286(E) dated 22.05.2024 is as under:-
“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 authorise 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. Railways may appreciate from the above proviso that it is an enabling provision for the Disciplinary Authority to conduct inquiry through the aid of digital mode. This proviso enables holding of inquiry through Video Conferencing in either of the two scenarios:
(a) during pandemic or natural calamities; or
(b) where the DA is satisfied for the reasons to be recorded in writing.
4. It is thus clarified that Disciplinary Authority may take a conscious decision to conduct inquiry through VC either himself or authorize an Inquiry Officer for conducting the same. There is no restriction in the rules for conducting of inquiry through VC in exceptional circumstances only. Inquiry either in whole or in part, may be held through VC either by the Disciplinary Authority himself or with prior approval of the Disciplinary Authority duly recording reasons for the same.
5. Railways may please ensure that wherever it is proposed to hold inquiry through the digital mode of Video Conferencing, the proceedings should be held strictly in accordance with regulations notified vide GSR No. 287(E) dated 22.5.2024 so that principles of natural justice are complied with.
6. Hindi version will follow. Please acknowledge receipt.
(Priya Gopatakmshnan)
Director/Estt.(D&A)
Railway Board
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