AVINASH CHAND vs CHAIRMAN, MARKET COMMITTEE .

The Supreme Court upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court's dismissal of a writ petition challenging the retirement age of auctioneers as per Rule 24(5) of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets General Rules, 1962. The Court found that the Chief Administrator's directive, based on Section 33(4)(ii) of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961, was valid and did not apply retrospectively to the appellants. The Court ruled that the auctioneers were not employees of the Market Committees and thus could not claim continuation of service beyond the stipulated age, affirming the High Court's decision.