Haryana State Electricity Board And Ors vs Chander Pal Singh

The Supreme Court held that while administrative bodies can rectify mistakes, the amount of gratuity owed to the respondent should not have been withheld, especially since he retired in 1997. The Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to direct the appellants to comply with the High Court's order for gratuity payment but set aside the imposition of Rs. 25,000/- as compensation. The appeal was disposed of with the direction that the appellants shall not recover Rs. 46,221/- from the respondent.