POST AND TELEGRAPH BOARD AND ORS. vs C.S.N. MURTHY

The Supreme Court upheld the order of compulsory retirement of an Assistant Engineer under Fundamental Rule 56(j), citing that the respondent's work standard had declined in the last two financial years, despite a previously good record. The Court found that the adverse remarks from the years 1970-71 and 1971-72 constituted sufficient material for the department's conclusion, rejecting the High Court's view that there was no relevant material justifying the retirement. The Court emphasized that compulsory retirement is not a punishment and that the government has the discretion to make such decisions based on available records.