C.V.Francis vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the Petitioner’s application for voluntary retirement was not accepted by the Respondent, Bokaro Steel Limited, and thus the disciplinary proceedings for unauthorized absence were valid. The Court emphasized that the absence of a response to the application for voluntary retirement does not equate to acceptance, and the Petitioner’s failure to join duty after being directed to do so justified the termination of services. The Court upheld the decision of the Jharkhand High Court, affirming that the termination was lawful and the disciplinary action was justified under the relevant service rules.