STATE BANK OF PATIALA, PATIALA vs MAHENDRA KUMAR SINGHAL

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's order quashing the dismissal of the respondent for lack of personal hearing was invalid, as no rule mandates a personal hearing at the appellate stage. The Court distinguished the case from Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner, emphasizing that the principles of natural justice do not universally confer a right to a hearing in departmental inquiries. The Court set aside the High Court's order and remitted the matter for consideration of other grounds raised in the writ petition, allowing the appeal with no costs.