SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA vs UNION OF INDIA . — C.A. No. 1118/1999

Summary of C.A. No. 001118/1999 - Sushil Kumar Verma v. Union of India Outcome: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal on March 1, 2001, setting aside the High Court's order and restoring the Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court's award in favor of appellant Sushil Kumar Verma. No costs were awarded. Facts & Reasoning: Bank employee Verma was disciplined with four withheld increments based on allegations that he failed to deposit Rs. 3,500 given by customer Lakhan Singh. The Labour Court found the departmental inquiry vitiated and, since the complaint was withdrawn and unsupported by evidence, set aside the disciplinary action. The High Court wrongly reinstated the punishment, treating the inquiry's findings as binding. The Supreme Court held the Labour Court was justified: the Bank Manager's own cross-examination testimony contradicted the charges, and without Lakhan Singh's testimony, the misappropriation charge remained unproven. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.