Madras HC orders BHEL to pay compensation to dismissed employee

The Madras High Court Bench here has directed the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Tiruchirappalli to pay a compensation of Rs three lakh to an employee, who was dismissed from service for unauthorised absence for 78 days in 1997. Justice V M Velumani, allowing a petition filed by the employee Vinothraj, said on Saturday that the punishment was not proportionate to the mistake committed by the employee and hence she was awarding compensation. Besides, the petitioner had attained superannuation age and could not be reinstated. Vinothraj had joined BHEL in 1977 as semi-skilled worker and got demoted on July 8,1983 on the charge of unauthorised absence for 111 days. The petitioner produced a medical certificate, but the employer accepted it only for 33 days of absence. The remaining period was considered as unauthorised absence and domestic enquiry was held in which he was found guilty. more at: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-madras-hc-orders-bhel-to-pay-compensation-to-dismissed-employee-2074958