Supreme Court of India (Single Judge)

Appeal (Civil), 9693 of 2013, Judgment Date: May 27, 2020

REPORTABLE 

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA 

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION 

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 9693 OF 2013 

Chairman­cum­Managing Director, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited ...Appellant 

Versus 

Sri Rabindranath Choubey ...Respondent 

J U D G M E N T 

M.R. SHAH, J. 

The short but interesting questions of law which fell for  consideration of this Court are, (i) as to whether is it permissible  in law for the appellant (employer) to withhold the payment of  gratuity of the respondent (employee), even after his  superannuation from service, because of the pendency of the  disciplinary proceedings against him?, and (ii) where the  departmental enquiry had been instituted against an employee  while he was in service and continued after he attained the age of superannuation, whether the punishment of dismissal can be1  imposed on being found guilty of misconduct in view of the  provisions made in Rule 34.2 of the CDA Rules of 1978?

Full Judgment