GURPAL SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB .

The Supreme Court held that the appointment of the appellant as Auction Recorder was invalid due to his prior conviction under Section 61(1)(a) of the Punjab Excise Act, 1974, which the Punjab and Haryana High Court found rendered him ineligible. The Court emphasized that the appointment did not comply with the rules as established under the Punjab Market Committees (Class III) Rules, 1989. Consequently, the Court upheld the High Court's decision to set aside the appointment and directed the Punjab Mandi Board and Market Committee to initiate a fresh selection process.