THOMAS JOHN MUTHOOT Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, the Managing Director of Muthoot Fincorp Limited seeks to quash all further proceedings in STC.No.157/2021 on the file of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Thaliparamba. The petitioner is alleged to have committed offence punishable under Sec. 22A of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 r/w Rule 21A(1) of the Kerala Minimum Wages Rules, 1958. The petitioner's company is a private financial institution as provided in the schedule to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

(2.) The Assistant Labour Officer, Thaliparamba (respondent No.2), the Inspector appointed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') inspected the establishment run by the petitioner on 22/9/2020 at 10.30 a.m. and found that five workers were employed there, but the petitioner failed to submit electronically or upload an IT enabled 'Register of Employment and Wages' in Form XIV as provided under Rule 21A(1) of the Kerala Minimum Wages Rules (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules'). Respondent No.2 filed a complaint under Sec. 22A of the Act alleging violation of Rule 21A(1) of the Rules against the petitioner. The learned Magistrate took cognizance of the offence under Sec. 22B of the Act.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.