P. LAL vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court held that the Government of India was justified in rejecting the application for voluntary retirement of Respondent No. 3 under the relevant service rules, as he failed to provide the requisite three months' notice as mandated. The Court emphasized that the absence of the employee from duty and the failure to receive the retirement order at the provided address indicated an intention to evade service obligations. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, affirming the Government's decision to deny voluntary retirement.