CHANDRA PRAKASH SHAHI vs STATE OF U.P.

The Supreme Court held that the termination of a probationer's service under the U.P. Temporary Government Servants (Termination of Service) Rules, 1975, must be scrutinized to determine if it is punitive in nature, requiring a departmental inquiry. The Court emphasized that the jurisdiction of the U.P. Public Service Tribunal allows for examination of the substance of the termination order, distinguishing it from mere procedural termination. The Court ultimately upheld the Tribunal's finding that the termination was punitive and set aside the High Court's order that had reversed the Tribunal's decision, reinforcing the need for due process in such cases under Article 226 of the Constitution.