The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965
RULE 18. COMMON PROCEEDINGS:
Government of India Decisions
(1) Procedure of enquiry when two Government servants accuse each other:-
In a recent case, two Government employees working in the same office made complaints against each other. The disciplinary authority initiated departmental proceedings against both the employees under Rule 18 of the CCS (CCA) Rules. The question whether it is legally permissible to enquire into the conduct of the accused and the accuser in one joint proceeding was examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law. Cross complaints arising out of the same or connected incident or transaction are not uncommon, and occur frequently in criminal cases. The Code of Criminal Procedure is silent with regard to the procedure to be adopted in such cases. The general principle as laid down by the Courts is that the accused in cross cases should be tried separately and that both the trials should be held simultaneously or in quick succession so as to avoid conflicting findings and different appraisal of the same evidence. On the analogy of the criminal law practice and procedure, a joint proceeding against the accused and accuser is an irregularity which should be avoided. This should be noted for future guidance.
[G.I. MHA Letter No. 6/98/63-AVD dated the 13th June, 1963]