Chennai Metropolitan Water ... vs T.T. Murali Babu

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to reinstate the respondent, a Junior Engineer at CMWSSB, after finding that the dismissal under the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 1978 was disproportionate given the circumstances of prolonged absence due to ill health. The Court emphasized that while misconduct was established under Regulations 6(1) and 6(2), the punishment of dismissal was excessive, and thus, reinstatement with continuity of service was warranted, albeit without back wages. The ruling clarified the balance between disciplinary action and the rights of employees under service regulations.