As per case facts, petitioners were appointed as Assistant Linemen by DHBVN based on ITI certificates. After several years of service, including promotions, DHBVN discovered that the institutions issuing these ... certificates were not recognized by the State Government, leading to their suspension and dismissal. The petitioners argued that their certificates were not "fake" but from "unrecognized" institutions, they had served for long periods, and proper disciplinary procedures were not followed. The question arose whether employment obtained using certificates from unrecognised institutions, or forged certificates, is valid, especially after long service, and if procedural rules for misconduct apply. Finally, the High Court held that employment obtained on the basis of forged or unrecognised certificates is void ab initio, rendering procedural safeguards for misconduct inapplicable. While dismissing the petitions, the Court also criticized the DHBVN's significant delay in verifying credentials, directing it to implement a robust verification process within six months of recruitment.