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L.R. PATIL versus GULBARGA UNIVERSITY, GULBARGA

Citation: [2023] 12 S.C.R. 104 · Decided: 04-09-2023 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: J.K. MAHESHWARI · Disposal: Appeal(s) allowed

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Judgment (excerpt)

[2023] 12 S.C.R. 104 : 2023 INSC 796
CASE DETAILS
L.R. PATIL
v.
GULBARGA UNIVERSITY, GULBARGA
(Civil Appeal No. 3254 of 2013)
SEPTEMBER 04, 2023
[J. K. MAHESHWARI AND K. V. VISWANATHAN, JJ.]
HEADNOTES
Issues for consideration: Whether the order passed by the Respondent-
University pursuant to r.252(b), Karnataka Civil Service Rules, relieving 
the appellant to accept another appointment ought to be treated as an order 
accepting resignation; and further on facts, whether on joining the new 
post, the appellant’s lien on the previous post will be maintained until he is 
permanently absorbed in the new department in which he is subsequently 
appointed; and lastly is the appellant entitled to the relief prayed.
Service Law – Karnataka Civil Service Rules – r.252(b), r.20, Note 
4 – Lien of a government servant on the previous post, when ceases to 
exist:
Held: ‘Lien’ of a government servant only ceases to exist when he/
she is appointed on another post ‘substantively’/confi rmed or absorbed 
permanently – Otherwise, his/her lien would continue on the previous post 
– In the instant case, lien of the appellant on the previous post of ‘Offi  ce 
Superintendent’ is squarely protected and his lien shall be continued u/r.20, 
Note 4 as he was never appointed substantively on the new post of ‘Assistant 
Registrar’ and was continued temporarily on the said post subject to the 
outcome of the pending litigation challenging his appointment – This fact 
also fi nds support from the Preamble of the Resolution of the University 
dated 23.12.2000 – Further, the appointment of appellant to the new post 
was subject to probation of two years and due to pending litigation, he was 
continued on a temporary basis despite completion of two years – Further, 
in terms of r.252(b) relieving order cannot be treated as resignation – Thus, 
the fi nding recorded by the Writ Appellate Court not sustainable – Appellant 
104
105
entitled to all the service benefits including seniority, consequential 
promotions and pensionary benefi ts at par with his juniors, though notionally, 
since he superannuated on 30.06.2007 and has not worked on the promoted 
post – Impugned order set aside – Order passed by Single Judge restored 
subject to modifi cations. [Paras 17, 18, 20 and 22]
Karnataka Civil Service Rules – r.20, Note 4 – Intention of:
Held: As per r.20, Note 4, if a government servant seeks employment 
in another unit or department or in another cadre or grade in the same 
department under the Rules, his/her lien on the original appointment shall 
be continued to be maintained until absorbed in the department or cadre in 
which he/she is newly appointed. In case the employee is absorbed, he/she 
shall be entitled to the benefi t of the past service for the purpose of leave 
and pension – Intention of the said rule is to protect the past service of the 
government servant in cases where the government servant is not confi rmed 
or absorbed substantively on the new post on account of his/her failure to 
satisfactorily complete the probation period or for any other reason. [Paras 
14 and 19]
Words and Phrases – ‘Lien’ – Discussed – Service Law.
LIST OF CITATIONS AND OTHER REFERENCES
Sitikanatha Mishra v. Union of India and Others, (2015) 3 SCC 670 
: [2015] 1 SCR 16; Ramlal Khurana (Dead) by Lrs. v. State of Punjab & 
Others, (1989) 4 SCC 99 : [1989] 3 SCR 680; Triveni Shankar Saxena v. 
State of U.P. and Others, (1992) 1 Supp SCC 524 : [1991] 3 Suppl. SCR 
534; State of Rajasthan and Another v. S.N. Tiwari and Others, (2009) 4 SCC 
700 : [2009] 4 SCR 448; State of Madhya Pradesh and Others v. Sandhya 
Tomar and Another, (2013) 11 SCC 357 : [2012] 11 SCR 839 – relied on.
Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma & Orthopaedics v. State of 
Karnataka and Others, Writ Appeal No. 596 of 2020 (S-RES) – referred to.
OTHER CASE DETAILS INCLUDING IMPUGNED 
ORDER AND APPEARANCES
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 3254 of 2013.
From the Judgment and Order dated 23.10.2009 of the High Court of 
Karnataka at Bangalore in WA No.10003 of 2009.
L.R. PATIL v. GULBARGA UNIVERSITY, GULBARGA
SUPREME COURT REPORTS 
[2023] 12 S.C.R.
106
Appearances:
Ms. Hetu Arora Sethi, Arjun Basra, Advs. for the Appellant.
Sharanagouda Patil, Mrs. Supreeta Patil, Shubham Kunte for M/s. 
S-legal Associates, Advs. for the Respondent.
JUDGMENT / ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT
JUDGMENT
J. K. MAHESHWARI, J. 
1. The appellant assails the tenability and validity of the judgment 
dated 23.10.2009 of 

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