State Of Punjab And Ors vs Charanjit Singh

The Supreme Court held that the disciplinary authority's decision to treat the respondent's unauthorized absence as leave without pay does not condone the misconduct. The Court clarified that the mere classification of absence as leave does not invalidate the disciplinary action taken against the employee. The Court overturned the lower courts' decisions, emphasizing that misconduct can still warrant punishment regardless of leave status, thereby reinstating the dismissal of the respondent from service.