RANJIT SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB .

The Supreme Court held that under the principles of service law, an employee who is unable to attend work due to hospitalization from an accident sustained while on duty is entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses and salary for the period of hospitalization, even if no formal leave was sanctioned. The Court emphasized that the circumstances of the case, where the appellant was injured while performing his duties, warranted special consideration. The appeals were allowed, directing the respondents to reimburse the appellant's medical expenses and pay his salary during the hospitalization period.