The Delhi High Court recently upheld the dismissal of a Border Security Force (BSF) constable accused of sharing sensitive information about troop deployment and movement with a suspected Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) through social media.

Justices V Kameswar Rao and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora observed that criminal and departmental proceedings operate in distinct spheres, with the latter assessed on a lower standard of proof.

The high court found that the constable was discharged in the criminal case, which alleged sharing of sensitive information with a PIO, due to lack of evidence, but emphasised that his conduct still warranted disciplinary action.

“The petitioner has not denied the fact that he was in contact with a stranger on Facebook and Messenger and later passed on information considered sensitive by the respondents on Whatsapp to the stranger apart from receiving an amount of Rs.5,000/- from the said person in his savings account, the penalty of dismissal is justified and ought not to…