RAMLAL KHURANA (DEAD) BY LRS. vs STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Rule 3.14 of the Punjab Civil Service Rules, a government servant's lien can be suspended when appointed to a substantive post outside their original cadre. The Court found that the appellant, who opposed repatriation to his parent department, forfeited his lien by asserting his right to remain in the ex-cadre post. Consequently, the Excise Commissioner was deemed competent to retire him, and the appeal was dismissed, with directions for pensionary benefits to be determined and paid to the appellant's legal heirs.