In Brief
An employee was terminated following his conviction under Section 324 IPC (criminal assault). Though later the appellate court reduced the punishment to a fine only, the employer maintained the dismissal citing moral turpitude. The employee subsequently died pending his appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, substituting his legal representatives, held that in the peculiar circumstances — considering the mitigated conviction, 13 years of service, and benefits already granted under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — monetary compensation of Rs. 3 lakhs was appropriate for complete justice. The appeal was disposed of with compensation ordered within four weeks.
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