In a notable judgment, the Karnataka High Court has reinstated a transport constable, Chandrashekar, who had been suspended for taking a brief nap while on duty. This decision came after it was revealed that the constable had been subjected to continuous double shifts for two months.
Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court criticized the suspension order issued by the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), deeming it unfair. The court’s ruling highlighted the extreme work conditions faced by Chandrashekar, who worked 16-hour shifts daily for 60 consecutive days without a single day off.
The case caught public attention when a video of Chandrashekar dozing off went viral, prompting immediate disciplinary action from KKRTC. The corporation argued that the video had damaged its reputation. However, the High Court dismissed this claim, pointing out that the real issue was the unreasonable work hours imposed on the constable.
In his judgment, Justice Nagaprasanna emphasized that the right to adequate rest is protected under both the Constitution of India and international labor laws. “If an employee is forced to work beyond legally permitted hours, exhaustion is inevitable,” the judge stated, underscoring the importance of work-life balance.
Chandrashekar, who has been a dedicated employee of the Karnataka State Transport in Koppal since 2016, defended himself by stating the prolonged hours had left him severely sleep-deprived. The court ruled that penalizing him for a short nap under such harsh conditions was unjust.
Further, the judgment reinforced that labor laws mandate an eight-hour workday and a 48-hour workweek, except in exceptional circumstances. It also referenced international standards set by the International Labour Organization, which advocate for work-life balance and reasonable working hours.
