AIROnline 2024 SC 870

Supreme Court Of India

(From : AIROnline 2023 Del 1694)

Hon'ble Judge(s): Vikram Nath, Prasanna B. Varale , JJ

(A) Constitution of India , Art.226— Termination of services - Legality - Engagement of appellants was not sporadic or temporary in nature but was recurrent, regular, and their responsibilities were akin to those associated with sanctioned posts - Respondents had not raised any issues regarding competence or performance of appellants during their engagement - Termination letters, issued without prior notice or explanation, violated fundamental principles of natural justice - Appellants had rendered nearly two decades of dedicated service - Such long service cannot be brushed aside by labelling their initial appointments as part-time or contractual - Appellants' long-standing satisfactory performance attested to their capability to discharge these functions - Abrupt termination of services of appellants, following dismissal of their original application before Tribunal, was arbitrary - Termination orders were set aside - Directions were issued to take back appellants on duty and to regularise their services. AIROnline 2023 Del 1694-Reversed (Para 10 12 14 17 28) (B) Constitution of India , Art.226, Art.14— Regularisation of services - Claim for - Appel....