S.C. in the case of in the case of B.V. Ram Kumar vs. State of Telangana &Anr. (SLP (Crl.) No. 7887 of 2024), the recently ruled that a verbal reprimand at the workplace, when related to official duties, does not amount to a criminal offense under Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (“IPC“), which pertains to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining workplace discipline, the Court cautioned against the misuse of criminal provisions to challenge professional reprimands. It further clarified that mere rudeness, harsh language, or perceived insolence in an employment setting does not meet the legal threshold of an intentional insult under Section 504 IPC. This ruling reinforces the distinction between workplace management and criminal liability, ensuring that professional conduct issues are not unnecessarily escalated into legal disputes.
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