Provide benefits to sacked professor, HC to IIMB

The High Court on Thursday partly allowed a petition by a former professor of IIMB who was dismissed by the institute in 1986, in connection with a conflict with other employees.

Hearing an appeal by IIMB, challenging the single judge order, which had allowed a petition by M Siddappa, the professor who had moved the High Court challenging his dismissal from service, the division bench comprising Justices N K Patil and Indrakala Ratnakala  partly allowed the petition.

The court has confirmed the single judge order which had set aside the inquiry report and dismissal order. The bench has directed the institute to calculate terminal and pensional benefit by including his absence from duty between the suspension period till he attained superannuation.

The same should be treated as on duty,” the bench said. However, the back wages during this period - between the suspension to superannuation period - has been reduced by 50 per cent.

Siddappa, a native of Davangere, served as a professor in the department of finance in the IIMs of Ahmedabad and Mumbai. He came to the City in 1974. Following an untoward incident between him and some of the employees, a departmental inquiry was initiated. The inquiry held the professor guilty and he was dismissed from service.

He moved the High Court, challenging the suspension order. He contended that his suspension was illegal and sought directions to provide him service benefits. The single judge who heard the matter allowed his petition and directed the institute to provide him benefits. The institute appealed against the single judge order.