In Brief
The Supreme Court held that under Uttar Pradesh Fundamental Rule 56, voluntary retirement does not become automatic on expiry of three months' notice. The State can reject applications if public interest requires retention of personnel. The rule's Explanation clause mandates that the appointing authority consider public interest when deciding on voluntary retirement requests, not just when the Government compulsorily retires someone. Given severe shortage of doctors in government hospitals, the State's rejection of the doctors' voluntary retirement applications was legally permissible. The appeals were allowed and the High Court's order directing automatic retirement was set aside.
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