For almost 4 a long time, one man’s identify was shadowed by a bribery cost over simply Rs 50. What started as a small accusation of bribery in 1988 changed into a lifelong battle for justice and dignity — one which outlived him. This week, the Supreme Court docket lastly cleared late railway ticket examiner (TTE) VM Saudagar of all prices, ending a decades-long authorized wrestle that his household carried on after his dying.
A life derailed due to Rs 50
It was 31 Might 1988 when a vigilance workforce accused Saudagar, then serving on the Dadar–Nagpur Categorical, of accepting a bribe of Rs 50 from passengers and failing to return Rs 18 in fare stability. A departmental inquiry adopted, and regardless of the dearth of strong proof, he was dismissed from service in 1996. Two passengers had informed investigators that Saudagar neither demanded nor accepted any unlawful cash, but the system failed him. The inquiry relied on flawed testimony and procedural lapses. Along with his job gone and his fame in tatters, Saudagar spent his later years making an attempt to clear his identify.
Aid denied, hope deferred
In 2002, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) sided with Saudagar, ruling that the proof didn’t justify his dismissal and directing the Railways to reinstate him. However justice was once more delayed — the Railways challenged the choice within the Bombay Excessive Court docket, which stayed the order. For the following 15 years, the case remained pending as Saudagar grew older and weaker. He handed away nonetheless ready for vindication. In 2017, the Excessive Court docket lastly dominated — however in opposition to him — upholding his dismissal and leaving his household heartbroken, till the Supreme Court docket stepped-in.
Cleared, ultimately — too late for him
Even after his dying, Saudagar’s household refused to just accept the stigma that adopted his dismissal. They took the combat to the Supreme Court docket.Then lastly in October 2025, after 37 years, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra dominated that there was no conclusive proof of bribery. The judges referred to as the inquiry officer’s findings “perverse” and restored all consequential advantages, together with pension, to his authorized heirs inside three months.