Karnataka High Court Rules Unpaid Salary Violates Human Dignity, Article 23, Constitution

The Karnataka High Court held that withholding salaries from government teachers for 19 months violated human dignity under Article 23 of the Constitution, which prohibits forced labour. The Court directed immediate payment of pending salaries, emphasizing that employees’ right to remuneration is essential for livelihood and dignity. The ruling reinforces that non-payment of wages undermines constitutional guarantees and strikes at the core of fundamental rights, highlighting the judiciary’s role in safeguarding employee rights against administrative negligence.