In Brief
The State of Orissa removed the respondent from his position as Farash following discovery that he fraudulently obtained a Scheduled Tribe caste certificate to secure employment exchange sponsorship and appointment. Although appointed to an unreserved post, he entered the selection zone only because of the fraudulent certificate. The Tribunal and High Court had ordered his reinstatement, finding insufficient proof of forgery and that no reserved post was filled. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that once fraud is proved, it vitiates the entire transaction and appointment, regardless of whether the specific post was reserved. No court will permit retention of benefits obtained through fraud.
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