NON-REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 6625 OF 2018
[@ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NO. 20804 OF 2018]
AJAYAPAL SINGH(D) THROUGH LRS. Appellant (s)
VERSUS
THE ASSOCIATED CEMENT COMPANIES LTD Respondent(s)
JUDGMENT KURIAN, J.
1.
Leave granted.
2. The appellant (since deceased) approached this Court, aggrieved by his termination on account of involvement in a criminal case, which, according to the respondent – Management, amounted to moral turpitude. The appellant was convicted under Section 324 IPC and at the appellate stage, the punishment was confined only to payment of fine.
3. Sh. C. U. Singh, learned senior counsel appearing for the Management, points out that the offence involved was an attack on the wife of a co-worker. During the pendency of the appeal before this Court, the appellant expired. His legal representatives have been brought on record. The appellant had 13 years of service. We are also informed that during the pendency of the proceedings, the appellant had been granted the benefits amounting to more than Rs. 3 Lakhs under Section 17B of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
4. Having regard to the entire facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that the interest of justice would be met and complete justice would be done in case the legal representatives of the appellant, who have been substituted, are granted a monetary compensation to the tune of Rs. 3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs). Ordered accordingly.
5. The above amount shall be paid to the legal representatives of the appellant, who have come on record, within four weeks from today. We make it clear that this Judgment is passed in the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case and therefore, not to be treated as a precedent.
6. In view of the above, this appeal is disposed of. .......................J. [ KURIAN JOSEPH ]
.......................J. [ SANJAY KISHAN KAUL ]
New Delhi;
July 12, 2018.