JUDGMENT :

1. This writ petition is directed against orders dated 03.11.2020 and 24.02.2021 passed by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, refusing the petitioner's notice to voluntarily retire from service.

2. The petitioner is an Executive Officer in the employ of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, Lucknow. He is currently posted at the Construction Division of the Nigam at Baghpat. The petitioner completed the age of 59 years on December the 13th, 2020, rendering by that time more than 36 years of service. He was appointed as a Junior Engineer on 22.09.1984 and in course of time, was promoted to the post of an Assistant Engineer. He was further promoted to the post of an Executive Engineer, which he current holds. The petitioner submitted a request to the Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (for short, 'the Nigam') through an application dated 01.10.2020, seeking to voluntarily retire from service, in exercise of his right under the U.P. Fundamental Rule 56(c) of the Financial Hand Book Vol. II (Parts II to IV). The aforesaid Rules shall hereinafter be referred to as 'the Rules'.

3. It was indicated in the application dated 01.10.2020 that the request may be regarded as three months