Disciplinary Authority Must Exercise Independent Judgment, Not Act Under Dictates Of Other Authorities: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has upheld a Single Judge's decision setting aside the removal of a Punjab National Bank employee from service, holding that a disciplinary authority vested with statutory discretion must exercise its powers independently and not under the dictates of another authority. The Court observed that where the disciplinary authority fails to independently apply its mind...

Dismissal On Technical Grounds Means Employee Remains 'In Service' For Subsistence Allowance, Rules Gauhati HC

A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury held that when a punishment order is set aside on a technical ground and the matter is remanded for a fresh decision, the employee is deemed to be in service and entitled to subsistence allowance but not automatic back wages for the intervening period. Background Facts...

Appointment To New Post After Abolition Of Old One, Not 'Promotion' For MACP Benefits: Meghalaya High Court

A Division Bench of the Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh held that when an employee is shifted to a newly created post (Hindi Officer/Assistant Director) due to abolition of the earlier post (Hindi Instructor) and merger of pay scales of both posts, such appointment is not a promotion and cannot be counted as financial upgradations...

January 1 To Be Approved Service Date For Delhi, Andaman Civil & Police Service Officers Till Fresh Rules Are Framed: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has directed that until fresh rules are framed, January 01 following the year of examination will be treated as the crucial date for determining “approved service” of officers belonging to the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) and Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS). [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 601]A division bench comprising...

Tattoos Not Completely Barred In Armed Police Forces, But Must Conform To Prescribed Norms: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that there is no absolute prohibition on tattoos in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), but the candidates must ensure that such tattoos conform to prescribed standards regarding their content, location and size. [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 600]A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan made the observation while dismissing...

Judicial Officer Can't Be Denied Promotion Based On Complaint Which Did Not Lead To Any Disciplinary Action: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that mere deferment of an employee's promotion on the basis of a complaint, which did not culminate in any departmental enquiry, disciplinary proceedings or adverse finding, cannot permanently operate to the employee's detriment by denying consequential seniority and promotional benefits. The Court observed that once the employee was subsequently found fit...

BREAKING | Madras High Court Sets Aside Recruitment Of 17 Personal Assistants To Judges, Says Those With Even 'Zero Marks' Appointed

The Madras High Court, on Wednesday (July 1), set aside the appointment of 17 Personal Assistants to its Judges, after noting that the entire selection process was arbitrary and without consideration of merit. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 288] The bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice N Senthilkumar noted that the service Rules were relaxed to accommodate in-service candidates who did...

Employee Who Repeatedly Declines Promotion Not Entitled To ACP/Time-Bound Financial Upgradation: Chhattisgarh High Court

A Division Bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court comprising Justice Parth Prateem Sahu and Justice Sachin Singh Rajput held that an employee who voluntarily refuses a regular promotion is not entitled to financial upgradation under the Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme, as the scheme is meant to alleviate stagnation caused by lack of promotional opportunities. [2026 LiveLaw...

Delay In Acquiring TET Qualification Due To COVID-19 Cannot Be Grounds To Deny Compassionate Appointment: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that a candidate cannot be denied compassionate appointment merely because he could not acquire the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification within the prescribed period when the examination itself was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court observed that where the delay was attributable to the authorities and not to the candidate, such...

Sole Proprietor Who Personally Executes Work Covered Under Employees' Compensation Act: Karnataka High Court Holds Insurer Liable

Allowing an appeal filed by the dependents of a deceased sole proprietor, Karnataka High Court has recently held that a proprietor who personally undertakes a hazardous work cannot be denied compensation by reasoning that he is a business owner who wouldn't fall within the definition of 'workman' under the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 226]The Division Bench of...

Govt Can't Arbitrarily Scrap Panel For Appointment Of Law Officers Without Justification: Telangana High Court

The Telangana High Court has held that while empanelment does not confer an indefeasible right to appointment as a Government Pleader, the Government cannot arbitrarily discard an already prepared panel and substitute it with a fresh one without giving reasons or without following a fair, transparent and legally sustainable process. [2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 94] Allowing a writ petition filed by...

'State Can't Indefinitely Extract Work Through Temporary Posts': Orissa High Court Orders Regularization Of Pharmacist Terminated After 14 Yrs Service

The Orissa High Court has recently held that the State cannot abruptly and arbitrarily remove a person holding a non-sanctioned temporary post, on the ground of contractual nature of her service or financial and administrative constraints for regularization, after extracting regular work from her for decades. [2026 LiveLaw (Ori) 66]While upholding a Single Bench order which granted relief to...