PURAN DAS vs UOI

The Supreme Court held that the appellant, who was initially suspended and later removed from service, was entitled to be considered for promotion along with his juniors after reinstatement, as he had acquired the requisite qualifications post-reinstatement. The Court emphasized that the denial of promotion based on the timing of qualification, while the appellant was under suspension, was unjust. The judgment of the Himachal Pradesh High Court was set aside, and the appellant was granted the benefit of promotion from the date his juniors were promoted, in accordance with the principles of fairness and equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.