State Of Uttaranchal & Ors vs Kharak Singh

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to quash the dismissal of a temporary Forest Guard under the Uttar Pradesh Forest Act, finding that the disciplinary inquiry was conducted improperly and lacked fairness, violating principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that an inquiry must be free from bias and adhere to procedural rules, reinforcing the legal principle that an employee's dismissal must be substantiated by a fair and just process. Consequently, the Court directed the reinstatement of the respondent with all consequential benefits.