Shanmugam and Others v. Aleric Ice Cream Manufacturers and Others – sllr 1990 volume 2 page 011

In the case between Shanmugam and Others (Plaintiffs) and Aleric Ice Cream Manufacturers and Others (Defendants), the court addressed the legality of terminating employees based on unsubstantiated charges, specifically allegations of drunkenness and deviation from prescribed work routes. It was held that the employer’s actions were arbitrary, as the evidence did not substantiate the most serious charges, and the employees were not afforded an opportunity to explain their conduct. The principle reaffirmed was that disciplinary action in employment contexts requires credible evidence, adherence to procedural fairness, and proportionality. Reliance was placed on established principles of industrial law, emphasizing the necessity for domestic inquiries and fair process prior to termination. Th