Upholding a verdict of the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court ruled that an employee could be dismissed in exceptional cases even if he was acquitted by a criminal court.‘‘Acquittal by a criminal court would not debar an employer from exercising power in accordance with rules and regulations in force,’’ the apex court ruled, upholding dismissal of an IOC employee. The SC agreed with the High Court that ‘‘ The authority on the spot is the best judge of the situation prevailing. It is he who has to assess the situation and take steps’’. —PTI
