STATE OF U.P. vs SHATRUGHAN LAL & ANR.

The Supreme Court upheld the U.P. Public Services Tribunal's decision that the dismissal of the respondent, a Lekhpal, was illegal due to the violation of principles of natural justice. The Tribunal found that the respondent was not provided copies of documents mentioned in the charge-sheet, nor the statements recorded during the preliminary inquiry, which constituted a denial of an effective opportunity to defend. The Court reiterated that failure to supply such documents vitiates departmental proceedings, thus affirming the Tribunal's ruling.