In Brief
A government employee was terminated from service after three years of appointment due to undisclosed involvement in a minor criminal case. The High Court found the termination illegal. The Supreme Court partly allowed the appeal, holding that in trivial criminal matters (like minor disputes), suppression of facts may be condoned at the employer's discretion if disclosure would not have rendered the employee unfit. The Court set aside the termination order and directed the appointing authority to reconsider the respondent's case, accounting for factors such as the triviality of the offence, the employee's age at the time, conduct during service, and tenure. A fresh speaking order was directed within four months.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.