In Brief
State Bank of Patiala dismissed an employee's bid to withdraw his voluntary retirement application, citing an irrevocable clause in the scheme. The employee contested this in court and initially prevailed, but the Supreme Court reversed that judgment, holding him bound by the clause. When the employee later sought enhanced ex-gratia pay based on his promoted salary, the High Court reopened the matter. The Supreme Court held that its earlier judgment was final and binding, preventing reopening. However, recognizing the delay in paying ex-gratia until 2004 and the employee's continued work during interim orders, the Court awarded ₹1 lakh compensation as full settlement without granting the higher payment claimed.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.