Appointment of an Inquiry Officer under Rule 153 of the RPF Rules, 1987 in disciplinary proceedings involving major penalties: Procedure vide Railway Board Order dated 17.07.2026
भारत सरकार
रेल मंत्रालय
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2006/Sec(E)/DAR-3/36(Policy)pt
New Delhi, dated:17.07.2026
Principal Chief Security Commissioners/RPF,
All Zonal Railways (including Kolkata Metro), KRCL & PUs.
Principal Chief Security Commissioner, RPSF,
IG/ Construction/ECoR and NR,
Director, JR RPF Academy/Lucknow & ZTI, Kharagpur.
Sub:- Procedure to be followed before appointment of an Inquiry Officer under Rule 153 of the RPF Rules, 1987 in disciplinary proceedings involving major penalties. —
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Please find enclosed a copy of Office Memorandum No. 2006/Sec(E)/DAR-3/36(Policy)Pt — dated 16.07.2026, issued by the Director General/RPF, regarding the procedure to be followed before the appointment of an Inquiry Officer under Rule 153 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 in disciplinary proceedings involving major penalties, which is self-explanatory.
In view of the above, it is advised to ensure that the instructions contained in the aforesaid Office Memorandum are meticulously complied with and disseminated to all RPF/RPSF personnel under their jurisdiction. The Office Memorandum should be displayed prominently on the notice boards of all offices/posts/out-posts etc., and its contents should also be brought to the notice of all RPF/RPSF personnel during Suraksha Sammelans, roll calls and other official interactions to ensure wide awareness and effective implementation.
This is for kind information and necessary action, please.
DA; As above.
Sd/-
(Sarika Mohan)
DIG/Estt.
Railway Board
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2006/Sec(E)/DAR-3/36(Policy)Pt
New Delhi, dated:16.07.2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Procedure to be followed before appointment of an Inquiry Officer under Rule 153 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 in disciplinary proceedings involving major penalties.
Whereas Rule 153 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as “the Rules”) prescribes the procedure for imposing major penalties upon enrolled members of the Railway Protection Force;
And whereas Rule 28 of the RPF Rules, 1987 empowers the Director General/RPF to issue orders and instructions relating to the enforcement and furtherance of the provisions of the RPF Act 1957 (amended 1985) referred to as Act and the RPF Rules, 1987 as he may think necessary;
And whereas Rules 22.1 and 22.6 of the Rules vests in the Director General the authority to regulate and supervise the administration and discipline of the Force;
And whereas it is considered necessary, in the interest of ensuring procedural fairness, uniformity in disciplinary proceedings and adherence to the principles of natural justice, to supplement the procedure prescribed under Rule 153 of the Rules in the light of the judicial pronouncements of the Hon’ble High Courts and the analogous safeguard contained in Rule 9(7) of the Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968, which provides as under:
“The disciplinary authority shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Railway servant a copy of the articles of charge, the statement of the imputations of misconduct or misbehaviour and a list of documents and witnesses by which each article of charge is proposed to be sustained and shall require the Railway servant to submit a written statement of his defence within ten days or such further time as the disciplinary authority may allow.”
And whereas, although Rule 153 of the Rules does not expressly require submission of a written statement of defence before appointment of an Inquiry Officer, consideration of such defence at the threshold enables the Disciplinary Authority to apply its independent mind to the allegations, objectively assess whether appointment of an Inquiry Officer for holding a regular inquiry is warranted, and exercise its statutory discretion fairly, reasonably and in accordance with the principles of Natural Justice;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 28 read with Rules 22.1 and 22.6 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987, the Director General, Railway Protection Force hereby issues the following instructions for strict compliance by all Disciplinary Authorities.
1. Opportunity to submit written statement of defence
(1) In every disciplinary proceeding initiated under Rule 153 of the Rules for imposition of a major penalty, the Charged Officer shall, immediately upon service of the memorandum of charge, be afforded an opportunity to submit a written statement of defence within ten (10) days from the date of service of such memorandum. In case of non-receipt of the written statement of defence within provided time, an additional time of five (05) days may be provided to the charged officer in the interest of Natural Justice. After that further necessary action may be taken as per extant rules.
(2) In severe unavoidable circumstances of the delinquent, the Disciplinary Authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the aforesaid period where sufficient cause is shown.
2. Consideration of defence before appointment of Inquiry Officer
(1) Upon receipt of the written statement of defence, the Disciplinary Authority shall objectively examine the defence together with the records and material available on record and shall independently determine whether the facts and circumstances of the case necessitate the holding of a regular departmental inquiry under Rule 153.
(2) The appointment or nomination of an Inquiry Officer under Rule 153.2.1 shall ordinarily be made only after such consideration has been undertaken.
(3) The Disciplinary Authority shall record, either expressly or by necessary implication in the order-sheet, its satisfaction regarding the necessity of appointing an Inquiry Officer before proceeding further under Rule 153.
3. Cases where inquiry may not be necessary
Where, upon consideration of the written statement of defence and the material available on record, the Disciplinary Authority is satisfied that—
(a) the allegations do not disclose misconduct warranting a major penalty; or a
(b) the circumstances of the case are such that the ends of justice would be adequately served without holding a regular inquiry,
the Disciplinary Authority may, in accordance with the provisions of the Rules, proceed in such manner as may be legally permissible, including initiation of proceedings for imposition of a minor penalty or such action as deemed in accordance with rules, wherever warranted.
4. Failure to submit defence
Where no written statement of defence is received within the prescribed period or within such extended period as may have been allowed by the Disciplinary Authority, the Disciplinary Authority may proceed further in accordance with Rule 153 of the Rules, including appointment of an Inquiry Officer.
5. Nature and effect of these instructions
(1) These instructions are issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 28 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 and are intended to facilitate the effective implementation of Rule 153 in conformity with the principles of natural justice.
(2) These instructions shall be construed as supplementary to the procedure prescribed under Rule 153 and shall not be deemed to amend, modify, curtail or enlarge the substantive provisions of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987.
(3) In the event of any inconsistency between these instructions and the statutory provisions of the Act or the Rules, the provisions of the Act and the Rules shall prevail.
6. Applicability
(1) These instructions shall be binding upon Railway Protection Force of all Zonal Railways/PUs, the Railway Protection Special Force, all Railway Protection Force Training Institutions and every Disciplinary Authority exercising jurisdiction under the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987.
(2) These instructions shall apply to all disciplinary proceedings under Rule 153 in which an Inquiry Officer has not been appointed as on the date of issuance of this Office Memorandum.
Provided that proceedings in which an Inquiry Officer has already been appointed prior to the issuance of this Office Memorandum shall continue to be governed by the procedure applicable on the date of such appointment.
7. Repeal and saving
Nothing contained in this Office Memorandum shall invalidate any action lawfully taken or any proceeding lawfully commenced under Rule 153 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987 before the commencement of these instructions.
(Sonali Mishra)
Director General/RPF
Railway Board
COMMENTS