LATER JUDGEMENT OF THE SC

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO.  434  OF 2012

(@ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION(C)NO.12331 OF 2011)

UNION OF INDIA & ORS.                                   ... APPELLANTS

VERSUS

M.C. SHARMA                                             ... RESPONDENT

O R D E R

1.          Leave granted.

2.          This   appeal   is   directed   against   the   judgment   and   order dated 19.01.2011 passed by the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in Writ Petition No.5607 of 2010.

3.          Heard learned counsel for the parties to the lis.

4.          The   High   Court,   while   granting   relief   sought   for   by   the appellants, has primarily relied on a decision of this Court in the case   of  Raghu   Nandan   Lal   Chaudhary   &   Ors.  Vs.  Union   of  India, decided on 7th April, 1988, reported in (1988) 2 SCC 406.

5.          At   the   time   of   hearing   of   this   appeal,   it   is   brought   to our notice by learned counsel appearing for the appellants that the decision   of   this   Court   in   the   case   of   Raghu   Nandan   Lal   Chaudhary (supra) has been over-ruled by a larger Bench of this Court in the case   of  Union   of   India   &   Anr.  Vs.  Satish   Kumar,decided   on   October 25, 2005, reported in (2006) 1 SCC 360.

6.          In our opinion, had the appellants   brought to the notice of the High Court, the decision of the larger Bench of this Court in Satish Kumar's case (supra), we do not  think  the  High Court would have   committed   a   mistake   in   over-looking   the   later   judgment   of   a larger Bench of this Court.

7.            In this view of the matter, we cannot sustain the judgment and order passed by the High Court and the same is set aside, since the matter is squarely covered by the  decision of this Court in the case of Satish Kumar (supra).

              Appeal allowed accordingly.  No order as to costs.

                                                                    .......................J.

                                                                     (H.L. DATTU)

                                                                    .......................J.

                                    (CHANDRAMAULI KR. PRASAD)

NEW DELHI;

JANUARY 13, 2012