Judgment

S. K. Das, J. This is an appeal by special leave. The appellants before us are the Nagpur Electric Light and Power Co. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Company), a public limited company having its registered office at Nagpur in Madhya Pradesh, its Manager, and Assistant Manager. The respondent, Shreepathi Rao, joined the service of the Company as a typist on a salary of Rs. 30 per month in July, 1936. He rose in rank from time to time and was appointed Deputy Head Clerk in 1947 in the grade of Rs. 120-10-225. Since 1952 he has been receiving a basic salary of Rs. 245 per month. On 28th November 1955, an explanation was called for from him with regard to the issue of certain bills to consumers of electricity called "high tension consumers", without having certain "notes for the information of consumers" printed at the back of the bills. The respondent submitted his explanation on the next day, marking a copy thereof to one of the directors of the Company. On 2nd December 1955, he was again asked to explain why he marked a copy of his explanation to one of the directors. The respondent submitted an explanation in respect of this matter also. On the same date, he was agai