The Supreme Court has decided that when a boss gives criticism at work, it doesn’t count as an intentional insult that leads to criminal charges. The court explained that this kind of action could cause serious problems in the workplace, making it hard for everyone to do their jobs properly.
A panel of justices, Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, stated that simply being rude, disrespectful, or mean does not qualify as an intentional insult under a specific law known as Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This law deals with insults that aim to provoke a fight or cause trouble. The law carries a penalty of up to two years in jail, but it will soon be replaced by a new law from July 2024.
This ruling came when the court canceled a 2022 case against the acting director of the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The director was accused of insulting an assistant professor for complaining about him. The professor also claimed the director did not provide enough personal protective equipment (PPE), risking the health of everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the Supreme Court found that the accusations were more guesses than real proof. The court said that the boss’s criticism was part of keeping things in line at work, which is expected. The justices emphasized that every person in charge should expect their team to work sincerely and with commitment.
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