In a recent court decision, Judge Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao looked at the case of P V Purushottam Rao, a computer operator involved in a liquor-related incident. The court changed the penalties given to him by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
P V Purushottam Rao started working as a computer operator at ITDC and was later moved to the Duty Free Shop at Hyderabad Airport. On April 5, 2006, he was caught with liquor he wasn't supposed to have, leading to his suspension.
"P V Purushottam Rao was caught with 24 cans of Tiger Beer and Johny Walker Whisky."
After the incident, ITDC did an internal investigation. They found P V Purushottam Rao partly responsible because he had the keys to the Duty Free Shop at the time.
"The person doing the investigation found him partly guilty, saying it couldn't have happened without his permission."
At first, ITDC decided to stop two of his yearly pay raises permanently and ordered him to pay back Rs. 38,226 and Rs. 25,000 for losses and customs duties.
"The court thought the penalty was too harsh."
Judge Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao said the penalty was too severe. The stopping of pay raises was changed so it wouldn't be permanent, but he still had to pay back the amounts.
"The court changed the punishment, showing how important it is to have fair penalties."
The court decided to make the penalties fairer by not making the pay raise stoppage permanent while still holding P V Purushottam Rao responsible for paying back the money. This case shows how the court can help ensure fairness when company rules and legal matters overlap.
