In Brief
Abhishek Kumar Singh and others were terminated from their posts as Assistant Engineers by Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam following an examination found to have irregularities. The High Court set aside the termination order for violation of natural justice. When the employer re-engaged the employees in December 2018 without continuity of service or back wages, and then terminated them again in March 2020 without fresh hearing, citing impossibility to segregate tainted candidates, the employees filed contempt petitions. The Supreme Court held that the High Court's judgment did not expressly mandate reinstatement with back wages, only permitting them to work and be paid regular salary. Where segregation of tainted candidates is found impossible, terminating the entire recruitment process without individual hearings is lawful. The Court dismissed the contempt petitions and remitted the matter to the High Court for determination of broader merits.
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