CONSTABLE SAHIB SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB .

The Supreme Court held that an employee acquitted of criminal charges under Sections 376/354 IPC cannot be considered a 'dismissed servant' during the period of suspension. The Court ruled that the appellant's service should be deemed continuous from the date of suspension (28.6.1997) until acquittal (3.11.2000), as there was no dismissal order in place. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, modifying the High Court's order regarding the reinstatement date.