In Brief
A State Bank of India employee was dismissed for submitting a forged CAIIB qualification certificate to claim higher pay. The Labour Court upheld the dismissal, but the High Court ordered reinstatement with 50% back wages, finding the bank had not proven the employee knew the certificate was forged. The Supreme Court reversed the High Court, holding that the Labour Court's evidence-based finding that the employee knowingly submitted the forged document was sound. Strict evidence rules don't apply to departmental enquiries; a reasonable inference of knowledge from the circumstances sufficed. The dismissal was reinstated without recovery of wages already paid."
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