STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER vs SHAMLAL MURARI & ANR

The Supreme Court upheld the mandatory nature of Rule 3 concerning Letters Patent Appeals as established in Bikram Das's case, emphasizing that while compliance is essential, minor procedural irregularities should not impede justice. The Court dismissed the State's appeal, affirming that the denial of increments to a government servant for not passing a departmental test, despite being granted exemption, was lawful. The ruling clarified that the essence of Rule 3 is the presence of necessary documents rather than the exact number of copies required.