Divisional Controller,Ksrtc (Nwkrtc) vs A.T. Mane

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Karnataka High Court, which confirmed the Labour Court's ruling to reinstate the respondent conductor with reduced back wages after finding that the dismissal was disproportionate to the charge of possessing excess money. The Court emphasized that the employer failed to substantiate the charge of non-issuance of tickets by not examining passengers, thus rendering the dismissal unjust. The judgment reinforces the principle that disciplinary actions must be proportionate to the misconduct and supported by adequate evidence, particularly under the framework of service law.