Union of India and Ors v. Vikas Abrol

LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-1 -

INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHo o o Reservedoon:o23.09.2025o Dateoofopronouncement:o29.11.2025o Dateoofouploadingoo:o29.11.2025oo

1.o LPAoNo.o525oofo2017o(O&M)o UnionoofoIndiaoandootherso o o o …oAppellantso Versuso VikasoAbroloo o oo o o o …oRespondentooo o

2.o CWPoNo.o20332oofo2022o(O&M)o VikasoAbroloo o o o o o …oPetitioneroo Versuso UnionoofoIndiaoandoothersooo o o o …oRespondentsoo o

3.o COCPoNo.o1462oofo2017o(O&M)o VikasoAbroloo o o o o o …oPetitioneroo Versuso K.oK.oSharmaoandoothersooo o o o …oRespondentsooo o o o CORAM:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoASHWANIoKUMARoMISHRAo o ooooooooHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoROHIToKAPOORo o Presento Mrs.oAnitaoBalyan,oSenioroPaneloCounselowitho DeputyoCommandant-oMr.oArvindoSharmaoforoUnionoofoIndia.oo o o Mr.oRanaoGurtejoSingh,oAdvocate,oforotheorespondentoo InoLPAoNo.o525oofo2017oandoforotheopetitioneroo InoCWPoNo.o20332oofo2022oandoCOCPoNo.o1462oofo2017.oo o o ASHWANIoKUMARoMISHRA,oJ.ooooo o oo o o Theseothreeocasesoareoheardotogetheroandoareodisposedoofobyothiso commono judgment.o Factso areo primarilyo extractedo fromo LPAo No.o 525o ofo 2017.o

2.o o TheoLettersoPatentoAppealohasobeenofiledobyotheoUnionoofoIndiao assailingotheojudgmentoofolearnedoSingleoJudgeodatedo20.09.2016opassedoino CWPo No.o 7124o ofo 2015,o wherebyo theo ordero impugnedo ino theo writo datedo LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-2 -

18.03.2015oisosetoasideoandoaodirectionoisoissuedotooreconsiderotheogrievanceo ofotheorespondent/petitioneroforograntoofopro-rataopensionoforotheoserviceso renderedobyohimoinoBorderoSecurityoForceofromo04.02.2002otoo14.02.2014.o

2.o o CWPoNo.o20332oofo2022ohasobeenofiledobyotheopetitioneroforo quashingotheoorderodatedo02.08.2021,owherebyohisoclaimoforocountingoofopasto serviceorenderedoinotheoBorderoSecurityoForceohasobeenorejected.oo

3.o o COCPoNo.o1462oofo2017ohasobeenofiledobyotheopetitioneroforo initiatingocontemptoproceedingsoagainstotheoBSFoauthoritiesoforodeliberatelyo noto complyingo witho theodirectionso issuedo byo theo learnedo SingleoJudgeo ino CWPoNo.o7124oofo2015,owherebyohisoclaimoforograntoofopro-rataopensionohaso allegedlyobeenoallowed.oo

3.o o Admittedofactsoofotheocaseoareothatotheorespondent/petitionerowaso appointedoinoBorderoSecurityoForceoono04.02.2002oasoSub-Inspector.oInotheo yearo2005otheopetitionerojoinedoSpecialoProtectionoGroupo(hereinafterotoobeo referredoaso"SPG")ounderoCabinetoSecretariat,oNewoDelhi,oonodeputation.oIno theo yearo 2007,o theo respondent/petitionero waso promotedo too theo ranko ofo Inspector.oWhileoworkingoonodeputationoinoSPG,otheorespondent/petitionero appliedo foro employmento ino theo Punjabo Stateo Policeo Department.o Theo applicationo foro employmento waso movedo througho propero channelo ando no-objectionocertificateowasoissuedotootheopetitionerotooapplyoforotheopostoofo InspectoroasowelloasoforotheopostoofoDeputyoSuperintendentoofoPoliceoinotheo StateoofoPunjab.o

4.o o Theo writo petitionero cameo too beo selectedo aso Inspectoro ino theo PunjaboPoliceoDepartment.oOnohisoselection,otheowritopetitionerosubmittedohiso resignationoannexingotheoofferoofoappointmentoissuedobyotheoStateoofoPunjab,o LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-3 -

Policeo Departmento aso alsoo theo copyo ofo no-objectiono certificateo datedo

07.02.2014o issuedo byo theo authoritieso ofo Bordero Securityo Force.o Theo applicationofororesignationoalongowithoconnectedopapersowasoprocessedoono

12.02.2014oandoheowasopermittedotooresignofromotheoBorderoSecurityoForceo sooasotooallowohimotoojoinoasoInspectoroinotheoPunjaboPoliceoDepartmentoono

14.02.2014.o

5.o o TheoDirectorateoGeneraloofoBorderoSecurityoForceovideoordero datedo 14.02.2014,o whileo acceptingo theo resignationo tenderedo byo theo respondent/petitioner,o invokedo itso authorityo undero Ruleo 19(1)o ofo theo BSFo Rules,o1969oreadowithoRuleo26(1)oofotheoCentraloCiviloServiceso(Pension)o Rules,o 1972o ando heldo thato acceptanceo ofo resignationo waso withouto anyo financial/pensionaryobenefits.oItoisothisopartoofotheoorderowithowhichotheowrito petitionero waso primarilyo aggrieved.o Theo ordero datedo 14.02.2014o iso reproducedohereunder:-o "DIRECTORATEo GENERALo BORDERo SECURITYo FORCEo (AIRWING)o ORDERo oo Aso approvedo byo theo Competento Authority,o resignationo tenderedo byo No.020010713o Insp.o (GD)o Vikaso Abrolo whoo iso postedotooBSFoAiroWingofromo28oBn.oBSFoisoherebyoacceptedo witho immediateo effect,o undero theoprovisionso ofo Ruleo19(1)o ofo BSFoRuleso1969,oreadowithoRuleo26o(1)oofoCCSo(Pension)oRuleso 1972o(hereinafterotoobeoreferredoaso'theoRulesoofo1972'),owithouto anyofinancial/opensionaryobenefits.o

2.o TheoaboveoSOoisoherebyostruckooffofromotheostrengthoofo BSFoAiroWingowithoimmediateoeffect."o

6.o o Ito transpireso thato theo writo petitionero submittedo variouso representationsoclaimingograntoofopro-rataopensionoandoserviceobenefitsoofohiso LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-4 -

pastoworkingowithotheoBorderoSecurityoForceorelyingouponoRuleo26(2)oofotheo Rulesoofo1972oasoalsootheoofficeomemorandumodatedo26.07.2025.oRuleo37o waso alsoo reliedo upono byo theo writo petitionero too claimo pro-ratao pensiono byo claimingoparityowithotheoCentraloGovernmentoemployeesowhoowereoabsorbedo inotheoemploymentoofotheoGovernmentoCorporation.oSuchorepresentationsoofo theorespondentoultimatelyocameotoobeorejectedovideoorderodatedo18.03.2015.o Inothisoorder,otheoauthoritiesoofotheoBSForeiteratedotheiroearlierostand.oTheo authoritiesoalsooobservedothatounderotheoRulesoofo1972,otheoqualifyingoserviceo foro pensiono iso 20o yearso excepto ino caseo ofo invalidationo oro compulsoryo retirement/superannuationoretirement,owhichoisonototheocaseohere.o

7.o o Aggrievedobyotheoorderodatedo18.03.2015,otheopetitionerofiledo CWPoNo.o7124oofo2015o–owhichohasosinceobeenoallowedobyotheolearnedo Singleo Judgeo video ordero datedo 20.09.2016.o Theo reasono assignedo foro interferingowithotheoorderodatedo18.03.2015obyotheolearnedoSingleoJudgeoiso containedoinoparao5oando6oofotheojudgment,owhichoisoreproducedohereunder:-o "5.)oTheorespondents'ocontentionoisothatopetitioner'sotakingoupo anotheroappointmentoinoaoStateoserviceowasoatohisoownointeresto andonotoinopublicointerest.oTherefore,otheoserviceorenderedoino BSFocannotobeocountedoforotheopurposeoofograntoofoprooratao pension.oPerusaloofoRuleo26o(1)oando(2)oofotheo1972oRules,oitoiso evidentothatopetitioner'socaseowouldofallounderoRuleo26o(2).oRuleo 26o(1)oando(2)oreadoasounder:-o "26.o FORFEITUREo OFo SERVICEo ONo RESIGNATIONo

(1)oResignationofromoserviceooroaopost,ounlessoitoiso allowedo too beo withdrawno ino theo publico interesto byo theo appointingoauthority,oentailsoforfeitureoofopastoservice.o

(2)oAoresignationoshallonotoentailoforfeitureoofopasto serviceoifoitohasobeenosubmittedotootakeoup,owithopropero permission,oanotheroappointment,owhetherotemporaryooro LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-5 -

permanent,o undero theo Governmento whereo serviceo qualifies."o

6.)o ReadingoofoRuleo26(2)oofotheo1972oRules,oitoisoclearothato petitioner'socaseowouldofallounderoRuleo26o(2)oforotheoreasonso rightlyo oro wrongly,o theo respondentso haveo entertainedo theo petitioner'so applicationo foro takingo upo anothero appointment,o namely,oPoliceoInspectoroinotheoPunjaboPoliceoServiceoinotheo StateoofoPunjab.oEvenotheoresignationohasobeenoacceptedobyotheo respondents.o Theo respondentso nowo cannoto contendo thato petitioner'sorequestoforotakingoupoanotheroappointmentoinoStateo ofoPunjaboserviceoisonotoinoaccordanceowitholawoandofurtherotoo contendothatoinobetweenoissuanceoofoNooObjectionoCertificateo andoacceptanceooforesignation,oheowasofacingoinquiry.oItoisotoobeo notedothatotheorespondentsohadofullopowerotoowithholdoororejecto resignationoifotheoinquiryoisopendingoandofurtheroifotheorequestoofo theopetitioner'soapplicationothroughoproperochannelotootakeoupo anotheroappointmentoinoPunjaboStateoCiviloserviceoalsoocouldo haveo beeno withheldoorotheyo couldohaveo informedo theoPunjabo StateoPoliceoserviceothatopetitioner'soapplicationoforotheopostoofo InspectoroinoPunjaboPoliceoserviceoisonotoinoaccordanceowithotheo RulesoandotoostalloappointmentoofopetitioneroasoPoliceoInspector.o Foronototakingotimelyoactionobyotheorespondentsoandoinoviewoofo theo lattero developmento thato petitioner'so resignationo waso acceptedo ando heo iso dischargingo theo dutieso ofo theo posto ofo InspectoroinotheoPunjaboStateoPoliceoservice,otheorespondentso cannotodenyotheopro-rataopensionounderoRuleo26o(2)oofotheo1972o Ruleso reado witho Officialo Memorandumo datedo 26.7.2005o (AnexureoP-32)oforowhichotheopetitioneroisoentitledotoopro-ratao pensionoforotheoserviceorenderedoinotheoBSF.oTheopetitionerohaso renderedo 12o yearso ofo serviceo ino BSF.o Theo sameo cannoto beo deniedotoohimoforotheopurposeoofoextendingomonetaryobenefits.oIno viewo ofo theo aboveo factso ando circumstances,o Annexureo P-30o datedo18.3.2015oisoliableotoobeosetoaside."o

8.o o TheoappealobyotheoUnionoofoIndiaoisopressedowithoreferenceotoo theoapplicableoprovisionsocontainedoinotheoRulesoofo1972oasowelloasotheoofficeo memorandumo datedo 26.07.2005,o too contendo thato theo reliefo claimedo ando allowedoinofavouroofotheopetitioneroisonotocoveredobyoit.o

9.o o Perocontra,olearnedocounseloforotheorespondent/writopetitionero placeso relianceo upono theo judgmento ofo Hon'bleo theo Supremeo Courto ino LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-6 -

PradumanoKumaroJainovsoUnionoofoIndiao1994o(Supp)oSCCo548,oDivisiono BenchojudgmentoofoPatnaoHighoCourtoinoCiviloWritoJurisdictionoCaseoNo.o 16009oofo2013o–oDharmendraoKumaroMishraovsoTheoUnionoofoIndiaoando anotherodecidedoono24.07.2025oandoDivisionoBenchojudgmentoofoDelhioHigho CourtoinoWritoPetitiono(C)oNo.o293oofo2013o–oSatendraoKumaroGuptaovso UnionoofoIndiaoandoothersodecidedoono17.04.2013,otoosubmitothatotheobenefito grantedobyolearnedoSingleoJudgeoisoasoperolawoandorequiresonoointerference.o

10.o o Inotheocontextoofoadmittedofactsoofotheopresentocase,oweoare,o therefore,orequiredotooconsideroasotoowhetherotheoclaimoofotheowritopetitionero wouldobeocoveredobyoRuleo26(2)oofotheoRulesoofo1972oforotheopurposesoofo grantoofopro-rataopensionooronot?oo

11.o o Ruleo26oofotheoRulesoofo1972ohasoalreadyobeenoextractedobyotheo learnedoSingleoJudge.oItoisoinotwooparts.oSub-ruleo(1)oofoRuleo26oofotheoRuleso ofo1972oprovidesothatoresignationofromoserviceooroaopost,ounlessoitoisoallowedo toobeowithdrawnoinotheopublicointerestobyotheoappointingoauthority,oentailso forfeitureoofopastoservice.oItoisoundisputedothatotheorespondent/petitionerohaso submittedoresignationofromohisoearlieropostoofoInspectoroinoBSF.oItoisoalsoo undisputedothatotheowritopetitionerohasonotobeenoallowedotoowithdrawohiso resignationoinopublicointerest.oRuleo26(1)oofotheoRulesoofo1972,owhenoappliedo onotheofactsoofothisocaseowouldoindicateoforfeitureoofopastoserviceoofotheowrito petitioner.o

12.o o TheoclaimoofotheowritopetitioneroisobasedouponoSub-ruleo(2)oofo theoRulesoofo1972owhichoprovidesothatoaoresignationoshallonotoentailoforfeitureo ofopastoserviceoifoitoisosubmittedotootakeoup,owithoproperopermission,oanothero LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-7 -

appointment,owhetherotemporaryooropermanent,ounderotheoGovernmentowhereo serviceoqualifies.o

13.o o Theo writo petitionero haso takeno upo anothero appointmento witho properopermission.oWhatohas,othus,otoobeoseenoisoasotoowhetherohisoclaimoiso coveredobyoSub-ruleo(2)oofoRuleo26.oo

14.o o Sub-ruleo (2)o ofo Ruleo 26o contemplateso takingo upo ofo anothero appointmento undero theo Governmento whereo serviceo qualifies.o 'Theo Government'ohasobeenodefinedounderoRuleo3(1)(i)oofotheoRulesoofo1972otoo meanotheoCentraloGovernment.oTherefore,oSub-ruleo(2)owouldobeoattractedo whereotheoemployeeotakesoupoanotheroappointmentounderotheoGovernmentoi.e.o CentraloGovernment.oo

15.o o OnceotheoGovernmentoisospecificallyodefinedoinotheoRulesoofo 1972,o takingo upo ofo anothero appointmento haso too beo necessarilyo witho theo appropriateogovernmentoi.e.oCentraloGovernment.oThis,ohowever,oisonototheo caseohere.oTheorespondent/opetitionerohasotakenoupoanotheroappointmentowitho theoStateoofoPunjab.oSub-ruleo(2)oofoRuleo26odoesonotocontemplateotakingoupo ofoanotheroappointmentobyotheoemployeeocoveredounderotheoRulesoofo1972o withoanotheroStateoi.e.oStateoofoPunjab.oo

16.o o Theopetitionerohas,ohowever,oplacedorelianceouponoGovernmento memorandumo datedo 26.07.2005o too buttresso hiso grievance.o Theo relevanto portionoofotheomemorandumoisoextractedoasounder:-o "No.o28/30/2004-P&PW(B)o GovernmentoofoIndiao MinistryoofoPersonnel,oPublicoGrievanceso&oPensionso DepartmentoofoPensiono&oPensionersoWelfareo o o 3rdoFlooroLokoNayakoBhavan,o NewooDelhi-110o003,otheo26thoJulyo2005o LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-8 -

.o OFFICEoMEMORANDUMo Subject:-o Countingoofopastoserviceoonosubmissionoofotechnicalo resignationo ono oro aftero 1-1-2004o byo employeeso governedobyoCentraloCiviloServiceso(Pension)oRules,o 1972.o o o o ****************************o o oo Theo variouso Ministrieso /o Departments/o Autonomouso bodiesohaveobeenoseekingoclarificationsofromothisoDepartmento whetherotheoemployeesoappointedoonoorobeforeo31-12-2003,owhoo wereogovernedobyooldopensionoschemeounderotheoCentraloCivilo Serviceso(Pension)oRules,o1972,owillobeoeligibleoforocountingoofo theiropastoserviceounderoRuleo26(2)oofotheosaidorulesooroundero theoprovisionsoofotheoDP&AR'soO.M.oNo.28/10/84-PUodatedo29-8-1984,oasoamendedofromotimeotootime,oinotheosituationowhereo suchoemployeesosubmitotechnicaloresignation,oonooroaftero1-1-2004o too takeo upo newo appointmento ino theo newo Ministry/o Department/oCentraloAutonomousoBody.o

2.o Theomatterohasobeenoconsideredoinoconsultationowithotheo MinistryoofoFinanceoandoitoisoclarifiedoasofollow:o

(i)o AllotheoemployeesowhooenteredointooCentraloGovernmento serviceooroinotheoserviceoofoanoAutonomousoBodyosetoupo byoCentraloGovernmento(satisfyingotheoconditionsolaido downoinopara-4oofoO.M.odatedo29-8-1984),oonoorobeforeo 31-12-2003o ando whoo wereo governedo byo oldo pensiono schemeo undero theo Centralo Civilo Serviceso (Pension)o Rules,o1972,owillocontinueotoobeogovernedobyotheosameo pensiono schemeo ando sameo rules,o foro theo purposeo ofo countingoofotheiropastoserviceounderotheosaidorulesooro undero theo provisionso ofo theo DP&AR'so O.M.o No.o 28/10.84-PUodatedo29-8-1984,oasoamendedofromotimeotoo time,oifosuchoemployeesosubmitotechnicaloresignationoono oro aftero 1-1-2004,o too takeo upo newo appointmento ino anotheroMinistryooroDepartmentoofotheoGovernmentoofo Indiao oro ano Autonomouso Bodyo seto upo byo theo Centralo LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-9 -

Government,o ino whicho theo pensiono schemeo undero Centralo Civilo Serviceso (Pension)o Rules,o 1972o alreadyo existsoforotheoemployeesowhooenteredointooserviceooonooro beforeo31-12-2003.oo

(ii)o Theoemployeesowhooenteredointooserviceoonoorobeforeo31-12-2003oandowhoowereogovernedobyoCPFoschemeooroanyo pensionoschemeoofoCentralooroStateoGovernment,oothero thanotheopensionoschemeounderoCentraloCiviloServiceso (Pension)o Rules,o 1972,o ono submissiono ofo technicalo resignationotootakeouponewoappointmentoonooroaftero1-1-2004,ocannotobeoallowedotoojoinotheooldopensionoschemeo undero Centralo Civilo Serviceso (Pension)o Rules,o 1972o becauseoentryotootheosaidoschemeoceasedow.e.f.o31-12-2003oandonoonewoentryocanobeoallowedoinotheopensiono schemeo undero aboveo Rules.o However,o sucho employeeso canoseekopensionary/terminalobenefits,ofromotheopreviouso organization/Department,oifoadmissibleounderotheoruleso ofo thato organization/Department,o foro theo periodo ofo servicesorenderedounderothatoorganization/Department.o

(iii)oo Allo theo Centralo Governmento employeeso whoo enteredo Centralo Governmento serviceo oro theo serviceo ofo ano AutonomousoBodyosetoupobyoCentraloGovernment,oonooro beforeo 31-12-2003o ando whoo wereo governedo byo oldo pensiono schemeo undero theo Centralo Civilo Serviceso (Pension)o Rules,o 1972o ando whoo submito technicalo resignationo ono oro aftero 1-1-2004,o too takeo upo newo appointmentounderoStateoGovernment;owillobeoeligibleo forograntoofopro-rataopensionaryobenefitsoforotheoperiodo ofo Centralo Governmento oro Centralo Autonomouso Bodyo service,o ono theo lineso aso providedo ino theo Ruleo 37o ofo Centralo Civilo Serviceso (Pension)o Rules,o 1972o ando relatedoorders."o LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-10 -

Theoofficeomemorandum,oaforesaid,oextendsotootwoodifferentoexigencies.oTheo firsto exigencyo iso whereo theo employeeo iso governedo byo theo Oldo Pensiono SchemeounderotheoRulesoofo1972oandotakesouponewoappointmentoinoanothero MinistryooroDepartmentoofoCentraloGovernmentooroanoautonomousobodyoseto upobyotheoCentraloGovernmentoinowhichotheopensionoschemeounderotheoRuleso ofo1972oalreadyoexistsoorotheoemployeesoenteredointooserviceoonoorobeforeo 31stoDecembero2003.oThisoclauseoisonotoattractedoinotheofactsoofotheopresento case.oo

17.o o Clauseo(ii)oofotheoMemorandumodatedo26.07.2005orelatesotooano employeeocoveredobyotheoRulesoofo1972owhoosubmitsotechnicaloresignationotoo takeouponewoappointmentoonoorobeforeo01.01.2004obutowasonotoallowedotoo joino ono oro beforeo 01.01.2004.o Ino sucho caseo theo employeeo iso entitledo too pensionaryo/terminalobenefitsofromotheopreviousoorganization/odepartment.o Thisoclauseoisoalsoonotoattractedotootheofactsoofotheopresentocase.oo

18.o o SoofaroasoClauseo(iii)oofotheoMemorandumodatedo26.07.2005oiso concerned,o ito relateso too ao Centralo Governmento employeeo enteringo intoo servicesoonoorobeforeo31stoDecembero2003oandoisocoveredobyotheoRulesoofo 1972otoosubmitotechnicaloresignationoonoorobeforeo01.01.2004otootakeoupoao newoappointmentounderotheoStateoGovernment,owhereinoheowillobeoeligibleo forograntoofopro-rataopensionaryobenefitoforotheoperiodoofoserviceoinoCentralo GovernmentooroCentraloAutonomousobodyoonotheolinesoasoprovidedoinoRuleo 37oofotheoRulesoofo1972oandorelatedoorder.oo

19.o o Ino orderotoo appreciateo theo applicabilityoofo Clauseo (iii)oofo theo Memorandumodatedo26.07.2005,oweoshallohaveotooreferotooRuleo37oofotheo Rulesoofo1972oalso,owhichoreadsoasounder:-o LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-11 -

"37.oPensionoonoabsorptionoinoorounderoaocorporation,ocompanyooro bodyoo

(1)l AoGovernmentoservantowhoohasobeenopermittedotoobeoabsorbedo ino ao serviceo oro posto ino oro undero ao Corporationo oro Companyo whollyo oro substantiallyo ownedo oro controlledo byo theo Centralo Governmento oro ao Stateo Governmento oro ino oro undero ao Bodyo controlledoorofinancedobyotheoCentraloGovernmentooroaoStateo Government,oshallobeodeemedotoohaveoretiredofromoserviceofromo theodateoofosuchoabsorptionoandosubjectotoosub-ruleo(3)oheoshallo beoeligibleotooreceiveoretirementobenefitsoifoany,ofromosuchodateo aso mayo beo determined,o ino accordanceo witho theo orderso ofo theo CentraloGovernmentoapplicableotoohimo].oo EXPLANATION.o-oDateoofoabsorptionoshallobeo–oo

(i)o inocaseoaoGovernmentoemployeeojoinsoaocorporationooro companyo oro bodyo ono immediateo absorptiono basis,o theo dateo ono whicho heo actuallyo joinso thato corporationo oro companyoorobody;o

(ii)o ino caseo ao Governmento employeeo initiallyo joinso ao corporationo oro companyo oro bodyo ono foreigno serviceo termsobyoretainingoaolienounderotheoGovernment,otheodateo fromowhichohisounqualifiedoresignationoisoacceptedobyotheo Government.o o o(2)oTheoprovisionsoofosub-ruleo(1)oshalloalsooapplyotooCentralo Governmentoservantsowhooareopermittedotoobeoabsorbedoinojointo sectoroundertakings,owhollyounderotheojointocontroloofoCentralo Governmento ando Stateo Governments/Uniono Territoryo AdministrationsoorounderotheojointocontroloofotwoooromoreoStateo Governments/UnionoTerritoryoAdministrations.oo

(3)oWhereothereoisoaopensionoschemeoinoaobodyocontrolledooro financedo byo theo Centralo Governmento ino whicho ao Governmento servantoisoabsorbed,oheoshallobeoentitledotooexerciseooptionoeithero toocountotheoserviceorenderedounderotheoCentraloGovernmentoino thatobodyoforopensionoorotooreceiveoretirementobenefitsoforotheo serviceorenderedounderotheoCentraloGovernmentoinoaccordanceo withotheoordersoissuedobyotheoCentraloGovernment.oo EXPLANATION.o-oBodyomeansoautonomousobodyoorostatutoryo body."o Ruleo37oofotheoRulesoofo1972otalksoaboutopensionoonoabsorptionoinooroundero theoCorporation,ocompanyoorobody.oTheoabsorptionoofoGovernmentoservanto LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-12 -

forotheopurposesoofoRuleo37oofotheoRulesoofo1972,ohasotoobeoinoserviceooroposto underoaoCorporationooroaocompanyowhollyoorosubstantiallyoorocontrolledobyo theoCentraloGovernmentooroaoStateoGovernment,osubjectotooSub-ruleo3,owhicho talksoofoapplicabilityoofoaopensionoschemeoinoaobodyocontrolledoorofinancedo byotheoCentraloGovernment.oo

20.o o Ao co-jointo readingo ofo Clauseo IIIo ofo theo memorandumo datedo

26.07.2005oreadowithoRuleo37oofotheoRulesoofo1972owouldomakeoitoexplicito thatotheotechnicaloresignationoforotheoCentraloGovernmentoemployeeowouldo beocoveredoifoheoisocoveredobyotheoOldoPensionoSchemeoandohasosubmittedo technicaloresignationoonoorobeforeo01.01.2004.oTheotechnicaloresignationoofo theowritopetitioner,oherein,oisoofotheoyearo2014,owhichoisoaftero01.01.2004.o Neitherotheoofficeomemorandumodatedo26.07.2005oisounderochallengeonorotheo officeomemorandumoisootherwiseomadeoapplicable,oonofacts,oasosuchoclauseo 3(iii)owilloalsoonotobeoattractedoinotheofactsoofothisocase.oo

21.o o WeohaveoperusedotheojudgmentoofolearnedoSingleoJudgeowhicho doesonotoreferotootheoapplicabilityooforelevantoRulesoinotheofactsoofotheopresento case.oNeitherotheolearnedoSingleoJudgeohasoreferredotootheoingredientsoofoRuleo 26(2)oofotheoRulesoofo1972,oasonoticedoabove,onorotheoofficeomemorandumo hasobeenocarefullyoperusedoandoappliedotootheofactsoofotheocase.oWeoare,o therefore,oofotheoconsideredoopinionothatolearnedoSingleoJudgeohasoerredoino grantingobenefitoofoRuleo26o(2)oofotheoRulesoofo1972otootheoclaimoofotheo respondent/owritopetitioner.oo

22.o o Weohaveoperusedotheojudgmentsoreliedouponobyolearnedocounselo forotheorespondent/opetitioneroinotheocasesoofoPradumanoKumaroJain'socaseo (supra),oDharmendraoKumaroMishra'socaseo(supra)oandoSatendraoKumaro LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-13 -

Gupta'so caseo (supra).o Weo witho utmosto respecto findo ourselveso unableo too subscribeotootheoreasoningofurnishedotherein.oTheomatterobeforeotheoPatnao HighoCourtoaroseooutoofoaorejectionoofoaoclaimoofopensionobyotheoCentralo Administrativeo Tribunal.o Theo attentiono ofo theo Divisiono Bencho waso noto invitedotootheodefinitionoofo'Government'ooccurringoinoRuleo3(1)(i)owhicho meansotheoCentraloGovernmentoonly.oTakingoupoanotheroemploymentocouldo onlyobeowithotheoCentraloGovernment.oThisoaspectohasoescapedotheoattentiono ofotheoCourtoinoDharmendraoKumaroMishra'socaseo(supra).oo

23.o o Theo othero judgmento reliedo upono byo learnedo Counselo foro theo respondent/opetitioneroofoDelhioHighoCourtoplacesorelianceouponoaopreviouso judgmentoinoWritoPetitionoNo.o6447oofo2011o–oShashioKantoSinghovsoUOIo andoothers,owhichorelatesotoodelayedoacceptanceoofotechnicaloresignation.oWeo haveo perusedo theo judgmento ino Satendrao Kumaro Gupta'so caseo (supra)o whereino alsoo theo definitiono ofo Governmento haso noto beeno noticed.o We,o therefore,oareonotopersuadedotoosubscribeotootheoviewodeliveredobyotheoPatnao Higho Courto Dharmendrao Kumaro Mishra'so caseo (supra)o ando Delhio Higho CourtoinoSatendraoKumaroGupta'socaseo(supra).o

24.o o Theo judgmento ofo Hon'bleo theo Supremeo Courto ino Pradumano KumaroJain'socaseo(supra)oisoinotheocontextoofocomputationoofoqualifyingo serviceo ando doeso noto dealo witho theo controversyo whicho haso ariseno foro considerationobeforeous.oo

25.o o Inotheofactsoofotheocase,oweodrawostrengthoforotheoviewotakenobyo uso fromo theo judgmento ofo Hon'bleo Supremeo Courto ino Uniono ofo Indiao vso RakeshoKumaro(2001)o4oSCCo309.oInothisojudgmentotheoSupremeoCourtowaso dealingo witho ao caseo ofo resignationo beforeo completiono ofo qualifyingo LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-14 -

pensionableo service.o Ino parao 15,o theo Courto specificallyo excludedo theo applicabilityo ofo theo Ruleo ono thoseo whoo quito theo serviceo aftero tenderingo resignation.oInoparao21otheoSupremeoCourtoobservedoasounder:-o "21.o Inotheoresult,othereoisonoosubstanceoinotheocontentionoofo theolearnedo counseloforo theorespondentsothatoono theobasisoofo Ruleo49oofotheoCCSo(Pension)oRulesooroonotheobasisoofoG.O.,otheo respondentso whoo haveo retiredo aftero completingo qualifyingo serviceoofo10oyearsobutobeforeocompletingoqualifyingoserviceoofo 20oyearsobyovoluntaryoretirement,oareoentitledotoogetopensionaryo benefits.o Respondentso whoo wereo permittedo too resigno fromo serviceounderoRuleo19oofotheoBSFoRulesobeforeotheoattainmentoofo theoageooforetirementoorobeforeoputtingosuchonumberoofoyearsoofo service,oasomayobeonecessaryounderotheoRules,otoobeoeligibleoforo retirementoareonotoentitledotoogetoanyopensionounderoanyoofotheo provisionsounderoCCSo(Pension)oRules.oRuleo49oonlyoprescribeso theo procedureo foro calculationo ando quantificationo ofo pensiono amount.o Theo G.O.o datedo 27.12.1995o doeso noto confero anyo additionalorightoofopensionoonotheoBSFoemployees."o

26.o o Havingoexaminedotheoclaimoofotheorespondent/opetitioneroinotheo contexto ofo applicabilityo ofostatutoryo provisions,o weo areo ofotheo consideredo viewothatotheobenefitoofopro-rataopensionowouldonotobeoadmissibleotoohimoando theocontraryoviewotakenobyotheolearnedoSingleoJudgeocannotobeosustainedoino viewo ofo theo specifico provisionso ofo theo Rules.o Consequently,o theo presento appealosucceeds.oTheojudgmentoofolearnedoSingleoJudgeoisosetoaside.oTheowrito petitiono(CWPoNo.7124oofo2015)oofotheopetitioneroisodismissedowithonooordero asotoocosts.oo

27.o o Witho regardo too theo petitioner'so claimo ino CWPo No.o 20332o ofo 2022oforocountingohisopastoserviceoservedoinotheoBorderoSecurityoForce,oweo haveo examinedo theo mattero ando findo noo continuityo ofoserviceo betweeno hiso LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-15 -

employmentounderotheoCentraloGovernmentoandohisosubsequentoemploymento underotheoStateoGovernment.oThisoisobecauseotheopetitioneroacceptedoaofresho appointmento witho theo Stateo ofo Punjab.o Sub-ruleo (2)o ofo Ruleo 26o doeso noto envisageoaosituationowhereoaoCentraloGovernmentoemployeeogovernedobyotheo 1972oRulesoassumesoaonewoappointmentounderoanotheroStateoGovernment,o sucho aso theo Stateo ofo Punjab,o aso notedo above.o Ino theo absenceo ofo sucho continuity,otheopetitioneroisonotoentitledotoohaveohisopastoserviceocountedoforo anyoconsequentialobenefits.oo

28.oo o Additionally,oitoisoaocaseoofochangeoofoemployeroandotheocontracto ofooneoemployerocannotobeoextendedotoootheroemployerounlessothereoisoano agreemento betweeno theo twoo employers.o Thereo iso noo sucho mutualo understandingobetweenotheotwooemployersoandotheoRulesodoonotoprovideosootoo facilitateo theo employeeo witho sucho benefitso aso haso beeno demandedo byo theo petitioneroinotheopresentocases.oo

29.oo o Furthermore,oinotheoappointmentoletteroofotheopetitionerodatedo

15.11.2013o(attachedowithoCWPoNo.o20332oofo2022)oofferedobyotheoStateoofo Punjabo ino parao 8o ofo theo appointmento lettero heo haso beeno giveno fresho appointment.oParao8othereofoisoextractedobelow:-o "YouroseniorityoinotheoPunjaboPoliceoshallobeofixedounderotheo relevantoRules,oOrdersoandoinstructions.oSinceothisoisoaofresho appointmento ino theo Punjabo Policeo aftero youro resignation/o retirementofromopreviousogovernmentoserviceounderotheoCentralo Govt./o MHA,o youro pasto serviceo ino theo Centralo Armedo Policeo Forceso(CAPFs)oorotheoSPGowillonotobeocountedoforoseniorityooro pensionopurposes."o Since,oitohasobeenocategoricallyomentionedoinotheoappointmentoletteroofotheo petitioneroissuedobyotheoPunjaboPoliceoDepartmentothatoheohasobeenoissuedoao LPAoNo.o525oofo2017ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-16 -

freshoappointmentoinotheoPunjaboPoliceoafterohisoresignation/oretirementofromo previousogovernmentounderotheoCentraloGovernment/oMHA,ohisopastoserviceo ino theo Centralo Armedo Policeo Forceso oro theo SPGo willo noto beo countedo foro seniorityooropensionopurposes,onoocaseoforocountingoofohisopastoserviceoino BorderoSecurityoForceoisomadeoout.oAccordingly,oCWPoNo.o20332oofo2022o filedobyotheopetitioneroisoalsoodismissed.oo

30.o o Soo faro aso COCPo No.o 1462o ofo 2017o iso concerned,o sinceo theo appealofiledobyoUnionoofoIndiaohasobeenoallowedobyothisoCourtoforotheoreasonso mentionedoinotheoaboveoparagraphs,otherebyodismissingotheowritopetition,otheo presento contempto petitiono haso beeno renderedo infructuouso ando dismissedo accordingly.oo

31.o o Pendingo miscellaneouso applicationo (s),o ifo any,o alsoo standso disposedoof.o o o o o o o o (ASHWANIoKUMARoMISHRA)o o o o o o o o o JUDGEoo o

29.11.2025o o o o o ooooooo(ROHIToKAPOOR)o vso o o o o o o oooooooooJUDGEoo o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo o Yes/Noo Whetheroreportableo o o Yes/Noo