IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Reserved on :- 29.01.2026 Pronounced on: 16.02.2026 Uploaded on: 16.02.2026 State of Punjab & Another … Appellants Versus Sukhmander Singh … Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIRINDER AGGARWAL Present:- Mr. I.S.Kingra, Senior DAG, Punjab for the appellants Mr. D.S.Bhinder, Advocate for the respondent.

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VIRINDER AGGARWAL , J .

1. The present Regular Second Appeal (hereinafter referred as “appeal”) has been preferred by the defendant-appellant challenging the judgment and decree dated 24.04.1998 passed by the learned District Judge, Bathinda, whereby the suit of the respondent-plaintiff was decreed by setting aside the order of dismissal from the service passed by the competent authority and the judgment and decree dated 14.09.1996 of the learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), Bathinda was reversed.

BACKGROUND FACTS

2. The respondent-plaintiff was appointed as a Constable (No.1032/Bathinda) in the Punjab Police and was serving in the department at the relevant time. During the course of his service, the respondent-plaintiff remained wilfully absent from duty for 4 Months and 19 days on different periods without obtaining prior