STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs RAM RATAN

The Supreme Court held that under Article 311(2) of the Constitution, the punishing authority is required to issue a second show cause notice specifying the proposed penalty after a departmental inquiry. The Court found that the failure to specify the penalty in the show cause notice rendered the imposition of compulsory retirement on the respondent illegal. Consequently, the Court allowed the appeal by the State of Madhya Pradesh, setting aside the High Court's order that had restored the trial court's decree in favor of the respondent.