Case Details

  • Case Name: Civil Appeal No(s). of 2026 (arising out of SLP (C) No(s). of 2026 @ Diary No.25997/2020)
  • Court: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction
  • Order No. / Diary: Diary No.25997/2020; IA No.6226/2021, IA No.6227/2021
  • Date of Order: 21‑04‑2026
  • Relevant Prior Orders: High Court order dated 27‑11‑2019 in Civil Writ Petition No.26405/2019
  • Period of Dispute: Advertisements issued 03‑11‑2014 (JBT & Nursery) and 10‑11‑2014 (TGT); FIRs registered 29‑07‑2016 and 11‑10‑2017; cancellation order 27‑11‑2019; appeal decided 21‑04‑2026

Parties Involved

  • Petitioner: Chandigarh Administration (Department of Education, Chandigarh Administration)
  • Respondents: Satish Kumar & Ors. (selected Junior Basic Teachers and Trained Graduate Teachers)
  • Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Shantanu Sagar, AOR; Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR
  • Additional Solicitor General: Ms. Aishwarya Bhati (statement referenced)
  • Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Vipul M. Pancholi
  • Court Master: D. Naveen, Anu Bhalla

Issues / Allegations / Violations

  • Alleged malpractices in the selection of 489 Junior Basic Teacher (JBT) posts and 548 Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) posts, leading to FIR No.128 (29‑07‑2016) naming 32 JBT candidates and FIR No.201 (11‑10‑2017) naming 7 TGT candidates.
  • Employer cancelled the entire selection process and terminated services of all selected candidates.
  • High Court quashed the employer’s cancellation order, except for candidates specifically named in FIRs or where evidence indicated taint.
  • Employer appealed the High Court judgment.

Findings & Observations

  • Supreme Court observed that the private respondents have continued to render service without any blemish since their initial selection and appointment.
  • The Court accepted the Additional Solicitor General’s statement that the ongoing investigation does not reveal any role or complicity of the respondents in the alleged crime.
  • The investigation remains incomplete and its status is unrelated to the respondents.

Penalties / Settlements / Directions

  • No monetary penalty or settlement was imposed.
  • The Court clarified that should any cogent material emerge during further investigation indicating respondent complicity, the employer may initiate disciplinary proceedings or cancel the appointment.

Corrective Actions & Future Obligations

  • Respondents are permitted to remain in continuous service and are entitled to all consequential service benefits.
  • Employer retains the right to take necessary legal steps, including disciplinary action, if future evidence warrants.
  • All pending applications, if any, are ordered disposed of.

Final Ruling & Enforcement

  • Delay in filing was condoned; leave was granted.
  • The appeal is closed as per the signed order dated 21‑04‑2026.
  • Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.
  • Order signed by Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi.