Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) for not having any lawyer present during the final hearing of the case related to the dismissal of a woman employee.

In his order dated May 16, Justice Vivek Aggarwal said, "It is made clear that if the respondents fail to appear and cooperate, this court will proceed ex-parte against them."

The court directed NICL to recover the costs from the "erring officer".

"Learned counsel for the respondents was required to remain present on the last date i.e. May 7. It was made clear that the matter would be heard at 2.15 pm (on May 16)," the order said.

The court said that taking into account the "non-cooperation" of the respondents' counsel and considering that Rajesh Nema (counsel for the petitioner) is an outside counsel, Rs 25,000 can be paid, of which Rs 5,000 will be reimbursed to Nema for travel. Will be given for. ,

The court said the remaining amount would be deposited with the High Court Legal Services Committee.

Nema told over phone that Praveen Prakash had moved the High Court in 2017 challenging his removal from service by NICL.

The court has fixed May 29 as the next date of hearing.