DEWAN SINGH vs STATE OF HARYANA & ANOTHER

The Supreme Court held that Section 124(2) of the Punjab Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishad Act, 1961 mandates that an employee must be given a reasonable opportunity to rebut allegations before dismissal. The Court found that the appellant was not afforded such an opportunity, as he was only given a show cause notice without any further communication or inquiry into his conduct. Consequently, the dismissal order was vitiated due to the violation of principles of natural justice, and the appeal was allowed, overturning the High Court's dismissal of the writ petition.