In Brief
A government employee suspended for alleged misappropriation of funds was terminated after departmental proceedings in 1988. He filed a challenge petition 11 years later, which was allowed by the Public Service Tribunal and upheld by the High Court. The Supreme Court held that the extreme delay in challenging the penalty, combined with the employee's initial participation followed by ex parte conduct in departmental proceedings, warranted dismissal of the claim. While the Court set aside the Tribunal and High Court orders, it directed the State to pay Rs. 1 lakh as ex gratia relief in recognition of the protracted litigation period. No substantive relief was granted on the merits."
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