Karnataka High Court upholds dismissal of employee for filing false assault complaint, awards compensation

Introduction:

In a significant ruling, on 10 October 2025 the Karnataka High Court upheld the dismissal of an employee from M/s Teknic Euchner Electronics Pvt. Ltd. for misconduct after he filed a false police complaint alleging assault by his senior officer. The Court, however, directed the company to pay ₹4 lakh as compensation, considering the employee’s disability and limited employment opportunities.

Background of the Case

The incident occurred on January 16, 2009, when the employee, G. Mahesh, allegedly inflicted injury upon himself with a paperweight and subsequently accused his senior officer, Kennedy, of assault. Following the complaint, Mahesh was suspended, and a chargesheet was issued citing misconduct, including lodging a false complaint and disrupting company proceedings. A domestic inquiry was abandoned midway due to Mahesh’s interference, leading to his dismissal.

Proceedings Before the Courts

The Labour Court upheld the dismissal, finding that Mahesh had filed a false complaint and disrupted the disciplinary proceedings. The matter was then brought before the Karnataka High Court, where Mahesh argued that the inquiry was incomplete and lacked sufficient evidence. The company submitted that a police ‘B’ report concluded that Mahesh had injured himself, which he did not challenge.

High Court’s Findings and Directions

Justice Ananth Ramanath Hegde, while dismissing Mahesh’s petition, noted that the misconduct justified termination. However, acknowledging Mahesh’s disability and the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals in securing employment, the Court directed the company to pay him ₹4 lakh as compensation.

Significance of the Judgment

This ruling reinforces the importance of integrity and honesty in workplace conduct, while also reflecting the judiciary’s balanced approach ensuring that humanitarian considerations are not overlooked in employment-related disputes.