UNION OF INDIA vs S.NAGARAJAN

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's direction for retrospective appointment of the respondent was unjustified, as he was not in service as of 1.9.1993 and thus not entitled to temporary status. The Court clarified that the respondent could only be re-employed as an ad-hoc casual employee without benefits until a regular vacancy arises. The appeal was allowed, modifying the High Court's order, and the respondent was directed to apply for re-employment within three months, with no entitlement to increments or benefits until regular appointment.