I.K. MISHRA vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the compulsory retirement of the appellant under Rule 48(b) of the C.C.S. Pension Rules, 1972, affirming that the authority's decision is based on subjective satisfaction regarding public interest. The Court reiterated principles from Baikuntha Das v. Chief District Medical Officer, emphasizing that compulsory retirement is not a punishment and does not carry stigma, and judicial review is limited to cases of mala fides, lack of evidence, or arbitrariness. The High Court's decision to set aside the lower courts' decrees was affirmed, resulting in the dismissal of the appellant's appeal.