CHIEF ENGINEER vs K. RAMAN

The Supreme Court upheld the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal's decision to quash the order of compulsory retirement of the respondent, a Jeep Driver, on the grounds that the disciplinary proceedings were initiated without following the prescribed procedure and principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that the respondent was entitled to join duty after being called back, and the earlier order of the Tribunal did not permit disciplinary action against him. Consequently, the Court affirmed the Tribunal's ruling and set aside the punishment imposed by the Superintending Engineer.