STATE OF ORISSA & ANR. vs DR. PRARI MOHAN MISRA

The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the reversion of the respondent from the post of Director of Fisheries to Joint Director, stating that his appointment was on an ad-hoc basis and did not confer substantive status. The Court clarified that prolonged ad-hoc service does not equate to regular service, and thus, the government's policy decision to appoint an I.A.S. officer was valid. However, as a gesture of goodwill, the Court directed the appellants to grant pensionary benefits as if the respondent had retired as Director.