Fired over ‘fake’ certificates, Central Bank workers win relief from Orissa High Court

The Orissa High Court overturned the dismissal of Central Bank of India employees who were accused of submitting forged educational certificates, directing the authority to reconsider their punishment. The court took into account the workers' educational background, social status, and the loss of income following their termination in 2016.

The nine workers, known as safai karmacharis-cum-sub staff, were dismissed in 2016 after disciplinary proceedings found them guilty of using allegedly false/forged certificates to secure their regular positions in 2012. The high court expressed its inclination to pass the order, considering their education, social standing, and the income they lost after being dismissed.

The bank had dismissed the workers following an investigation, which concluded they had provided forged certificates to secure their jobs. The petitioners argued that they did not realize the consequences of submitting the forged certificates at the time of their employment. The court disagreed, stating that dismissal was disproportionate to the misconduct and should not have been imposed.