Simultaneous pursuit of qualifications is not disqualifying absent statutory prohibition or categorical finding of fraud.

The petitioner was appointed as an untrained Assistant Teacher on 24.04.1997 based on a Certificate in Physical Education obtained in the 1993–94 session.

He completed in-service training in 1999 and was granted a regular pay scale as a trained teacher effective 08.03.2000.

After nearly 29 years of service, and despite two prior inquiries in 2021 and 2024 clearing him of allegations regarding his qualifications, a third inquiry was initiated in 2025.

This inquiry alleged that the petitioner pursued two regular courses simultaneously—the Certificate of Physical Education and the Intermediate Examination—during the 1993–94 academic session.

Consequently, the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), Gautam Buddha Nagar, issued an order dated 11.12.2025 terminating the petitioner's services.

The petitioner challenged this termination, citing a lack of statutory prohibition against simultaneous degrees and procedural lapses.

1. Whether the simultaneous pursuit of two educational courses in one academic session constitutes a valid ground for termination in the absence of a statutory prohibition.

2. Whether the termination of a permanent employee after nearly three decades of service is sustainable without conducting a regular departmental inquiry under the U.P. Basic Education (Staff) Service Rules, 1973.

3. Whether an appointment can be annulled based on educational qualifications that have not been cancelled or invalidated by the competent issuing authority.

The court primarily applied the principle from Kuldeep Kumar Pathak v. State of U.P. (2016) 3 SCC 521, which holds that in the absence of a statutory embargo, simultaneous pursuit of courses cannot disqualify a candidate.

It relied on State of U.P. v. Saroj Kumar Sinha (2010) 2 SCC 772 regarding the necessity of adhering to natural justice and formal disciplinary procedures for termination.

The court further invoked the equitable principle from State of Maharashtra v. Milind (2001) 1 SCC 4 and Anita Rani v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2026), asserting that long-standing appointments (especially those spanning decades) should not be disturbed absent a finding of fraud or forgery.

The Court found that the respondents failed to produce any statute or regulation prohibiting the simultaneous acquisition of two qualifications at the time the petitioner obtained them.

Since the petitioner’s High School, Intermediate, and Physical Education certificates remain valid and uncancelled by the respective Boards, the Court held there was no legal basis to declare his appointment invalid.

The Court observed a "procedural infirmity," noting that the BSA terminated the petitioner’s services based on mere notices rather than a full departmental inquiry involving the formulation of charges and adducing of evidence as required by the 1973 and 1999 Rules.

Furthermore, the Court emphasized that terminating an employee after 29 years of "unblemished service" without a categorical finding of fraud is disproportionate and legally unsustainable.

The High Court quashed the termination order dated 11.12.2025 passed by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Gautam Buddha Nagar. The writ petition was allowed, effectively restoring the petitioner to his position with all consequential benefits.