UNION OF INDIA vs CHANDER MOHAN TRIKHA

The Supreme Court held that the order of compulsory retirement under Clause (h) of Article 459 of the Civil Service Regulations does not constitute punishment and thus does not require adherence to the principles of natural justice. The Court found that the High Court erred in setting aside the order of compulsory retirement on the basis that the Review Committee did not consider the entire service record, as there was no such allegation in the writ petition. The Court reinstated the order of compulsory retirement, affirming that the Review Committee had indeed reviewed the complete service record of the respondent.