CAT Order To Consider Employee's Plea For Voluntary Retirement Is Binding, Authority Cannot Direct Compulsory Retirement Instead

The Karnataka High Court quashed the compulsory retirement order against B Arulappa, Commissioner of Income Tax, and upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's direction to consider his voluntary retirement application. Arulappa's initial voluntary retirement request was rejected due to pending vigilance clearance. Despite disciplinary proceedings, the Tribunal directed favorable consideration of his retirement application. The High Court stated that the Tribunal's direction was binding and should have been followed, dismissing the Union of India's petition against Arulappa's voluntary retirement.