Service Law – Compassionate Appointment – Fraudulent Claims – Respondent-employees were appointed on compassionate grounds in the Eastern Railway based on forged and fabricated documents – The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal from service, emphasizing that appointments obtained through fraud vitiate the proceedings and nullify any claims to protection under Article 311 of the Constitution – The Court noted that the principles of natural justice were complied with, as the respondents were given the opportunity to respond to the show-cause notices [Paras 7-14].

Service Law – Natural Justice and Disciplinary Proceedings – The respondents alleged a violation of natural justice due to the lack of a full disciplinary inquiry – The Court rejected this claim, noting that the respondents had actively participated in the proceedings and failed to provide necessary documentation to support their claims – The Tribunal's dismissal of their applications was restored [Paras 8-9].

Criminal Law – Simultaneous Proceedings – The Court confirmed that the criminal proceedings related to fraud and forgery can run concurrently with departmental proceedings – The outcome of the criminal cases will not affect the decision regarding dismissal from service [Paras 12-14].

Decision:

Appeals allowed – The High Court's order was set aside, and the Tribunal's order dismissing the respondent-employees' original applications was restored – The respondents' dismissal from service was confirmed, with the clarification that this decision does not affect the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Adoption Validity – Contesting of Registered Adoption Deed – Section 16 of Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, raises presumption in favor of registered adoption documents, but is rebuttable – Requirements of actual giving and taking in adoption under Section 11(vi) of the same Act not convincingly proven – Adoption ceremony’s credibility doubted due to absence of key participants and lack of convincing photographic evidence. [Paras 35-51]

Will Validity – Requirements under Section 63 of Indian Succession Act, 1925, for proving a Will – Necessity of attestation by two witnesses as mandated by the Act not satisfied – Inadequate evidence to establish that Will was signed in testator's presence or with her acknowledgment – Will deemed not proved as per legal requirements, rendering it legally ineffective. [Paras 17-32]

Testamentary Document – Examination of suspicious circumstances surrounding the execution of Will – Consideration of age, health condition, and behavior of testator at the time of Will execution – Discrepancies in adoption and testamentary documents indicating lack of consistent and credible evidence for legal validation. [Paras 33-34, 52-54]

Decision – Appeal of Moturu Nalini Kanth dismissed – Adoption and Will not proved in accordance with law – Findings of High Court confirmed, denying Nalini Kanth any right or share in Venkubayamma’s properties. [Para 55]