State Of Punjab & Anr vs Surinder Pal Singh & Anr

The Supreme Court held that while the respondents were entitled to notional increments due to delayed appointments, they were not entitled to salary arrears for the period prior to their actual appointment in 2000, as they had not worked during that time. The Court set aside the Punjab & Haryana High Court's order directing payment of salary from 1998, emphasizing that salary can only be paid for the period of actual service. The appeal was allowed in part, affirming the principle that salary is linked to actual work performed.