Supreme Court quashed High Court’s 20 Aug 2024 judgment, modifying Single Judge order to reinstate appellant and cut penalty.
Appellant, former Sub‑Assistant Engineer of West Bengal Agro Industries Corp, to be reinstated within a month with 50% back wages.
Penalty of termination replaced by reduction to basic pay scale; court found no financial misdeed, deeming prior sanction disproportionate.
Delay condoned; appeal disposed; no costs awarded.