BALJIT SINGH vs STATE OF HARYANA

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, affirming that a government servant's voluntary retirement under Rule 5.32(B) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules is not automatic upon the expiry of the notice period, especially when serious criminal charges are pending against the employee. The Court clarified that the employer retains the authority to accept or decline the retirement request, and the mere passage of time does not terminate the employment relationship. The judgment in Union of India v. Sayed Muzaffar Mir was distinguished as it involved different circumstances.