7. Authority may dispense with appointment of Committee

The Authority may dispense with the appointment of a Committee under regulation 4(3) to inquire into the matter where the officer —

admits the charge or charges or any one of them; or

fails to furnish an exculpatory statement within the time prescribed by regulation 4(2) and such extended time as may be given under regulation 6.

In a case where paragraph (1) applies, the Authority may, after giving the officer a final opportunity of being heard, determine the matter in such manner as it thinks fit.

Without prejudice to paragraph (2) upon considering the facts of the case referred to in that paragraph, the Authority may —

if it is of the opinion that the officer should be dismissed or reduced in rank, dismiss or reduce the rank of the officer from such date as it may think fit; or

if it is of the opinion that some punishment other than dismissal or reduction in rank should be imposed —

impose a penalty such as stoppage or deferment of increment, fine or reprimand or a combination of such penalties; or

require the officer to retire in the public interest without further proceedings under these Regulations, with or without a reduction in retirement benefits.

The Authority may dispense with the appointment of a Committee under regulation 4(3) to inquire into the matter where the officer —

admits the charge or charges or any one of them; or

fails to furnish an exculpatory statement within the time prescribed by regulation 4(2) and such extended time as may be given under regulation 6.

In a case where paragraph (1) applies, the Authority may, after giving the officer a final opportunity of being heard, determine the matter in such manner as it thinks fit.

Without prejudice to paragraph (2) upon considering the facts of the case referred to in that paragraph, the Authority may —

if it is of the opinion that the officer should be dismissed or reduced in rank, dismiss or reduce the rank of the officer from such date as it may think fit; or

if it is of the opinion that some punishment other than dismissal or reduction in rank should be imposed —

impose a penalty such as stoppage or deferment of increment, fine or reprimand or a combination of such penalties; or

require the officer to retire in the public interest without further proceedings under these Regulations, with or without a reduction in retirement benefits.