F.C.I. & Ors vs Sone Lal

The Supreme Court held that the order of compulsory retirement imposed on Sone Lal by the Senior Regional Manager of the Food Corporation of India was invalid as it was issued by an authority lower in rank than the appointing authority, violating Regulation 56 of the Food Corporation of India (Staff) Regulations, 1971. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision that only the Zonal Manager, who had promoted Sone Lal, had the authority to impose such a penalty. Consequently, the appeal by the Food Corporation was dismissed, upholding the lower court's ruling.