State Of Punjab And Ors vs Balwinder Singh

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, affirming that the dismissal of the respondent from service was invalid as it was executed by an authority not competent to do so, specifically the Superintendent of Police instead of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, as required under the Punjab Police Rules. The Court emphasized that the principles of natural justice were violated in the dismissal process, thereby reinforcing the legal principle that an authority must act within its jurisdiction. The appeal by the State of Punjab was dismissed, maintaining the lower courts' rulings.