A solicitor and her practice manager husband have brought the first employment tribunal case attempting to claim for wrongful dismissal on the grounds of caste discrimination.

Amardeep Begraj, 33, and her husband Vijay, 32, who are of Indian descent, met while working at Coventry firm Heer Manak. They claim that when they announced their plans to marry, their employers tried to discourage them because Vijay is from the Dalit or ‘untouchable’ caste and Amardeep from a higher caste, the Jat. Inter-marriage between castes can lead to ostracism in traditional Indian society.

Heer Manak has dismissed the claims as ‘ludicrous’.

Amardeep Begraj told the tribunal that after their wedding she was burdened with too much work compounded by too little secretarial help, and was paid less than the practice’s other solicitors. Her husband claimed that after the birth of their child the firm tried to persuade them to resign.

Vijay Begraj, who had worked for the firm for seven years, was dismissed last year. His wife resigned in January.

Heer Manak’s senior partner KS Manak said the claims were ‘ludicrous’ and being brought as a ‘smokescreen’ to cover the failings of the individuals concerned. He added: ‘None of the evidence has been corroborated.’

A spokesman for national firm Shoosmiths, acting for the claimants, declined to comment.

The case is being heard at Birmingham Employment Tribunal and has been adjourned until March 2012. Caste is not specifically included under present discrimination laws, but the government is currently reviewing whether it should be added as a ground for discrimination.