STATE OF PUNJAB vs CHAMAN LAL GOYAL

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's order quashing the memo of charges against the respondent was justified, as the delay in initiating disciplinary proceedings from 1987 to 1992 violated principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that the respondent's right to a fair hearing under Article 21 was compromised due to the inordinate delay. Consequently, the Court upheld the High Court's directive for the State of Punjab to consider the respondent's promotion according to law.