As per case facts, the appellant, an Ophthalmic Assistant, was terminated from service after 26 years based on a secret police verification report that deemed him 'unsuitable'. This report was ... submitted 25 years after his appointment and just two months before his retirement. The Tribunal had set aside the termination, but the High Court reversed it, affirming the termination without a detailed explanation or personal hearing. The question arose whether the termination was arbitrary, violated natural justice principles, and if the delay in police verification should render the appellant ineligible for service benefits, especially given his claim of Indian citizenship through his father's migration certificate and other identity documents. Finally, the Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the termination was arbitrary, illegal, and violated natural justice due to the lack of clear reasons, non-furnishing of the police report, and denial of a personal hearing. The Court found the inordinate and unexplained delay in police verification by the authorities inexcusable, restoring the Tribunal's order and directing the payment of all service benefits to the appellant. It also issued a general direction for timely police verification for government appointments.