NAR SINGH PAL vs U.O.I. — C.A. No. 2280/2000

Case Summary: Nar Singh Pal v. Union of India The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and quashed the termination order, holding that the dismissal was punitive in nature and violated Article 311 of the Constitution. Although Nar Singh Pal was a casual laborer, he had acquired temporary status after 10 years of service, entitling him to constitutional protection requiring a regular departmental inquiry before dismissal—not merely payment of retrenchment compensation. The Court rejected arguments that accepting retrenchment compensation or the employee's subsequent acquittal in criminal proceedings barred relief, emphasizing that fundamental rights cannot be surrendered or compromised. The employee was ordered reinstated with full arrears and benefits. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.