The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed authorities to reconsider the dismissal of a police constable after finding that he was denied the relief of compulsory retirement granted to his brother under the same disciplinary proceedings, without any valid reason.

Stressing the need for equal treatment under Article 14, Justice Anand Singh Bahrawat said, “The concept of equality as enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution of India embraces the entire realm of State action. It would extend to an individual as well, not only when he is discriminated against in the matter of the exercise of rights, but also in the matter of imposing liability upon him. Equals have to be treated equally even in the matter of executive or administrative action,” the court said on October 13.

The order noted that the doctrine of equality is now regarded as a synonym of fairness in the concept of justice and stands as the most accepted methodology of a governmental action.…