On 19 December 2023, the Srinagar High Court intervened to help employees who were hired on a contractual basis at the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Corporation. These employees were terminated based on a complaint without a thorough investigation. The court stepped in to address the situation and provide assistance to the affected individuals.
Justice M A Chowdhary emphasised that if someone is accused of something at work, the decision to terminate their employment should not be made hastily. Instead, employees should have the opportunity to defend themselves in a proper investigation before any action is taken against them.
Furthermore, the court stated that even in situations involving contractual appointments, the termination of employment should not take place without affording the concerned individual an opportunity to present their side, particularly when the grounds for termination involve allegations of misconduct that could harm their reputation.
The HC directed the respondents to allow the affected employees to return to their originally assigned duties as per the corporation’s initial instructions. Additionally, the Court highlighted that these employees should be granted all the service benefits owed to them, including wages.
However, the Court made it clear that even though the court has cancelled the disputed orders, authorities can still take action against the accused parties if it follows the rules and is justified by the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Corporation.