MANMOHAN SINGH JAITLA, ETC. ETC vs THE COMMISSIONER. UNION TERRITORY CHANDIGARH AND ORS. ETC.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 3 of the Punjab Aided Schools (Security of Service) Act, 1969, an inquiry is mandatory before dismissing an employee, and any agreement that contravenes this provision is void. The Court ruled that the termination of the appellant's service without such an inquiry constituted a colorable exercise of power, rendering the dismissal ab initio void. Consequently, the Court allowed the appeal and the writ petition, affirming the necessity of adherence to statutory provisions in employment matters.