In Brief
Ritu Bhatia applied for the position of Company Secretary, which required five years' post-qualification experience "as" a Company Secretary. Though she worked in various roles, much of her experience was gained as a Management Trainee or Assistant Company Secretary. When the employer discovered this did not meet the stated requirement, her appointment was terminated. The Supreme Court upheld the termination, holding that the word "as" means formal appointment and actual work in that specific position. Experience gained under a different designation, even if similar duties were performed, does not satisfy the requirement. The Court declined to read the criterion broadly.
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