Western Coal Fields Limited vs Manohar Govinda Fulzele

The Supreme Court examined whether forfeiture of gratuity is permissible when an employee is terminated for misconduct involving moral turpitude, even if no criminal conviction or proceedings have been initiated. The court analyzed the legal principles surrounding the forfeiture of gratuity in cases of misconduct and the rights of employees under applicable laws. It emphasized that forfeiture should be justified by clear statutory or contractual provisions and that moral turpitude alone does not automatically warrant forfeiture without proper legal backing. The judgment clarifies the conditions under which gratuity can be forfeited in such circumstances.