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Factories Act, 1948

94 judgments · newest first · showing 1–94

KIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD.versusVIJAY BABANRAO DALAVI and ANR.

Disposed Off

The Bombay High Court heard cross‑petitions filed by Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. and its workmen challenging a Labour Court award that ordered reinstatement of six binders with 75% backwages after their retrenchment in 1991. The employer argued that the retrenchment complied with Section 25‑F of the …

KIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD. and ANR.versusSUDHAKAR MURLIDHAR BRAHME and ANR.

Disposed Off

The Bombay High Court heard cross‑petitions filed by Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. and its workmen challenging a Labour Court award that ordered reinstatement of six binders with 75% backwages after their retrenchment in 1991. The employer argued that the retrenchment complied with Section 25‑F of the …

KIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD. and ANR.versusBHASKAR VASUDEO TANDALE and ANR.

Disposed Off

Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. retrenched six workmen from its Binding Department in 1991, citing heavy losses and closure of that unit. The employees challenged the retrenchment before the Labour Court, which ordered reinstatement with continuity of service and 75% backwages. Kirloskar appealed, arguing …

BHASKAR VASUDEO TANDALEversusKIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD. and ANR.

Disposed Off

The Bombay High Court heard cross‑petitions filed by Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. and its workmen challenging a Labour Court award that ordered reinstatement of six binders with 75% backwages after their retrenchment in 1991. The employer argued that the retrenchment complied with Section 25‑F of the …

Chandramauli Agrawal,versusThe State of Bihar

DISPOSED

The petitioners, Chandramauli Agrawal and Lalita Chaudhary, filed writ petitions against the State of Bihar and the Bihar State Sugar Corporation seeking encashment of earned leave for 240 days. The corporation contended that the claim had been fully adjudicated and that only 30 days of earned leave …

Ram Dular ChaudharyversusThe State of Bihar

DISPOSED

The petitioners, Chandramauli Agrawal and Lalita Chaudhary, filed writ petitions against the State of Bihar and the Bihar State Sugar Corporation seeking encashment of earned leave for 240 days. The corporation contended that the claim had been fully adjudicated and that only 30 days of earned leave …

AJAY RAJ SHETTYversusDIRECTOR & ANR.

2025 INSC 500Dismissed

The appellant, Ajay Raj Shetty, who was employed as General Manager/Technical Coordinator of M/s Electriex (India) Ltd., was convicted under Section 85(i)(b) of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 for failing to remit ESI contributions that had been deducted from employees' wages. The issue …

THE MANAGEMENT OF WORTH TRUSTversusTHE SECRETARY, WORTH TRUST WORKERS UNION

2025 INSC 432Dismissed

The Worth Trust, a charitable organization that also runs commercial factories, was challenged by its workers' union for payment of bonus and ex-gratia for the year 1996-97. The union argued that the workers, employed in the Trust's factories, fall within the definition of "workmen" under the …

THE STATE OF GOA & ANR.versusNAMITA TRIPATHI

2025 INSC 306Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Goa filed a complaint alleging that the respondent's professional laundry service operated as a factory without a valid licence, violating the Factories Act, 1948. A Judicial Magistrate First Class issued summons on the basis of the complaint, but the High Court quashed the process, …

P.B. NAYAK & ORS.versusMANAGING DIRECTOR, BHILAI STEEL PLANT & ORS.

2021 INSC 670Dismissed

The appellants, employees of a canteen operating in the Steel Club of Bhilai Steel Plant, challenged their dismissal under Section 58 of the Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act, 1958, arguing that the Act applied to the club. The respondents contended that the club was a "club not being a …

GUJARAT MAZDOOR SABHA & ANR.versusTHE STATE OF GUJARAT

2020 INSC 572Appeal(s) allowed

The Gujarat Mazdoor Sabha and a national trade union challenged two Gujarat State notifications issued under Section 5 of the Factories Act, 1948 that exempted all factories from provisions on working hours, rest intervals and overtime pay during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The petitioners argued that …

PREM SINGHversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.

2019 INSC 983Disposed off

Prem Singh, a welder, worked for about 37 years in a work‑charged establishment of the Uttar Pradesh government and was later regularised before superannuation. He claimed that the period spent in the work‑charged establishment should be counted as qualifying service for pension under the Uttar …

CURRENCY NOTE PRESS & ANR.versusN. N. SARDESAI & ORS.

2018 INSC 625Dismissed

The Currency Note Press, a government-owned corporation, was sued by 17 former employees who claimed overtime wages for work done between 1986 and 1990 under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Labour Court dismissed their applications, but the Bombay High Court set aside that …

NATIONAL KAMGAR UNIONversusKRAN RADER PVT. LTD. & ORS.

2018 INSC 3Disposed off

The National Kamgar Union (appellant) challenged the closure of Kran Rader Pvt. Ltd.'s manufacturing unit, alleging that more than 100 workers were employed and that the employer failed to comply with Section 25-K of Chapter VB of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Industrial Court had held that …

LANCO ANPARA POWER LIMITEDversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.

2016 INSC 973Dismissed

Lanco Anpara Power Ltd was constructing a thermal power plant and had obtained registration under the Factories Act. The State authorities issued show‑cause notices under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 (BOCW Act) and the …

R.R. PAREKHversusHLGH COURT OF GUJARAT & ANR.

2016 INSC 513Case Partly allowed

The case concerned a senior judicial officer, R.R. Parekh, who was dismissed from service after two disciplinary inquiries found him guilty of misconduct for awarding sentences below the statutory minimum under Section 135 of the Customs Act, allegedly motivated by corrupt or oblique motives. The …

HEMANT MADHUSUDAN NERURKARversusSTATE OF JHARKHAND AND ANOTHER

2016 INSC 372Disposed off

An inspection of Tata Steel's Growth Shop and Fabrication Yard revealed violations of the Factories Act, 1948 and Bihar Factories Rules, including lack of overtime slips, absence of leave books for contract labour, and several canteen deficiencies. Cognizance was taken against the occupier, Heman …

MOHAN SINGH & ORS.versusTHE CHAIRMAN RAILWAY BOARD & ORS.

2015 INSC 539Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were canteen workers at the Moradabad Division of the Northern Railway who claimed that their canteen should be treated as a statutory canteen under the Factories Act, 1948 and that their services should be regularised. The respondents argued that the canteen was a non‑statutory, …

DELHI GYMKHANA CLUB LTD.versusEMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPN.

2014 INSC 742Dismissed

The Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., a members' club with a kitchen and catering division employing more than twenty workers, was held by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation to be covered under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 and was ordered to pay contributions for the period 1980-1985. …

BALWANT RAI SALUJA &ANR. ETC. ETC.versusAIR INDIALTD. & ORS.

2014 INSC 561Dismissed

The case concerned workmen employed by a contractor to run a statutory canteen on the premises of Air India, which under Section 46 of the Factories Act, 1948, must provide such a facility. The workmen claimed they were deemed employees of Air India and sought regularisation and other employment …

J.J. IRANI & ANR.versusSTATE OF JHARKHAND

2014 INSC 535Appeal(s) allowed

On 3 March 1989 a fire broke out at temporary pandals erected for Tata Iron and Steel Company's Foundation Day, killing and injuring many. The Inspector of Factories conducted a preliminary investigation on 5‑6 March 1989 and later received a detailed committee report on 23 April 1990; a criminal …

BALWANT RAI SALUJA & ANR. ETC. ETC.versusAIR INDIA LTD. & ORS.

2013 INSC 755Matter referred to larger bench

The workmen employed in the canteen of Air India, which was operated by Chef Air, a unit of the Hotel Corporation of India (HCI), claimed they were regular employees of Air India. Air India argued that HCI was a separate legal entity and that it had no control over the workers' hiring, wages, or …

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR.versusSARVA SHRAMIK SANGH, SANGLI AND ORS.

2013 INSC 708Disposed off

The State of Maharashtra terminated the services of 256 workmen employed on 25 lift‑irrigation schemes after transferring the schemes to a sugar factory. The workmen claimed entitlement to reinstatement and backwages, arguing that the termination was a breach of Section 25N of the Industrial …

BHUSHAN POWER AND STEEL LTD. AND ORS.versusSTATE OF ORISSA AND ANR.

2012 INSC 131Appeal(s) allowed

Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd. (appellant) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Orissa on 15 May 2002, wherein the State agreed to recommend iron‑ore mining leases for the appellant’s integrated steel plant. After restructuring of the Bhushan group, the State claimed the …

BOMBAY ANAND BHAVAN RESTAURANTversusTHE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ESI CORPORATION AND ANR.

2009 INSC 1102Dismissed

Bombay Anand Bhavan Restaurant, a proprietorship engaged in preparing sweets, savories, coffee and tea, employed more than ten workers and used LPG gas to operate a bottle cooler and coffee roaster. The Deputy Director of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Corporation directed the restaurant to …

M/S. QAZI NOORUL H.H.H. PETROL PUMP & ANR.versusDY. DIRECTOR, ESI CORPORATION

2009 INSC 970Dismissed

The appellant, a petrol pump operator, challenged an order directing him to pay contributions under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, arguing that his premises did not qualify as a "factory" within the meaning of the Act. The central issue was whether the activity of pumping petrol/diesel …

M/S. HOTEL NEW NALANDAversusREGIONAL DIRECTOR, E.S.I. CORPORATION

2009 INSC 911Appeal(s) allowed

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation inspected Mis. Hotel New Nalanda and, noting a refrigerator and grinder, deemed it a "factory" under s.2(12) of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, directing compliance. The hotel contested, asserting it was a tourist home with fewer than ten employees …

UNION OF INDIA & ORS.versusSATYA BRATA CHOWDHURY & ORS.

2008 INSC 1464Dismissed

The case concerned Time Keepers employed in various workshops of the Eastern Railway who were recruited as clerical staff but were held to be workers under the Factories Act, 1948. The Railway Board issued orders granting the Fifth Pay Revision Commission benefits from 18 February 2000 only to …

D.KRISHNAN & ANR.versusSPECIAL OFFICER, VELLORE CO-OPERATIVE SUGAR MILL & ANR.

2008 INSC 707Dismissed

The appellants, who were managers of a canteen in a sugar mill, claimed overtime wages and filed an application under Section 33C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Labour Court allowed the claim on the basis of punch‑card records, but the High Court set aside the award, holding that …

HINDALCO INDUSTRIES LTD.versusASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERING WORKERS

2008 INSC 369Dismissed

The Association of Engineering Workers filed a complaint under Item 9 of Schedule IV of the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971, alleging that Hindalco Industries treated its canteen staff as contract workers to avoid granting permanency and …

LAL MOHAMMAD AND ORS.versusINDIAN RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. & ORS.

2007 INSC 30Dismissed

The petitioners were workmen appointed on an ad‑hoc basis for the Anpara‑Rihand Nagar railway construction project of Indian Railway Construction Co. Ltd. (IRCON). After the project was completed in early 1998, they were served with retrenchment notices and offered compensation under Section 25‑F of …

UTTARANCHAL FOREST DEVELOPMENT CORPN. AND ANR.versusJABAR SINGH AND ORS.

2006 INSC 999Disposed off

The Uttaranchal Forest Development Corporation engaged daily‑wage workers for measuring wood and protecting timber. When work ceased, the workers were retrenched under Section 6‑N of the U.P. Industrial Disputes Act. The Labour Court held the retrenchment valid, saying the corporation was not an …

B.H.E.L. AND ANR.versusB.K. VIJAY AND ORS.

2006 INSC 62Case Partly allowed

The respondent, B.K. Vijay, was appointed as a Safety Officer in BHEL's Jhansi factory and, although placed in the non‑executive SA‑II cadre, was given the status of a Senior Executive under Rule 5 of the U.P. Factories (Safety Officers) Rules, 1984. He filed a writ petition seeking to be treated as …

L.K.VERMAversusH.M.T. LTD. AND ANR.

2006 INSC 52Dismissed

L.K. Verma, a Safety Officer, was charged with using abusive language and threatening a superior and was placed under suspension. He appealed the suspension to the Labour Commissioner under Rule 14 of the U.P. Factories (Safety Officers) Rules, 1984, but was dismissed from service while the appeal …

P.C. AGGARWALAversusPAYMENT OF WAGES INSPECTOR, M.P. AND ORS.

2005 INSC 445Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether directors of Jiyajirao Cotton Mills Ltd., a company that owned factories, could be held personally liable for unpaid wages under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 as amended by the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Relations Act, 1960. The Court held that the Act does not …

POLYMAT INDIA P. LTD. AND ANR.versusNATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. AND ORS.

2004 INSC 685Dismissed

Polymat India Ltd. and an associate insured their factory premises against fire under two policies issued by National Insurance Co. Ltd. The policies described the location as "factory‑cum‑godown" and the insured answered in the negative to a query about goods stored in the open. After a fire …

MISHRA DHATU NIGAM LTD. ETC. ETC.versusM. VENKATAIAH AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

2003 INSC 384Dismissed

A group of canteen workers employed through a contractor filed writ petitions seeking to be regularised as employees of Mishra Dhatunigam Ltd. and other respondents, invoking the statutory duty under the Factories Act to provide a canteen. The Andhra Pradesh High Court allowed the writs, directing …

NATIONAL THERMAL POWER CORPORATION LTD.versusKARRI POTHURAJU AND ORS.

2003 INSC 386Dismissed

National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC), a public sector undertaking, was statutorily obligated under Section 46 of the Factories Act, 1948 to provide a canteen for its employees. The canteen was operated by contractors, employing about 54 workers. The workers filed a writ petition seeking …

S.M. DATTAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT AND ANR.

2001 INSC 394Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by S.M. Datta, the occupier of a factory, who sought to quash a criminal complaint filed by a Factories Inspector under Sections 61, 62 and 63 of the Factories Act, 1948. The complaint alleged that an adult worker was made to work beyond prescribed hours without …

BUDDHI NATH CHAUDHARY AND ORS.versusABAHI KUMAR AND ORS.

2001 INSC 104Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were selected by the Bihar Public Service Commission as Motor Vehicle Inspectors under recruitment rules that required specific technical qualifications and years of practical experience. Several writ petitions challenged their appointments on the ground that the candidates lacked the …

BARAT FRITZ WERNER LTD.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2001 INSC 68Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined a Karnataka Government notification issued under Section 10 of the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 that prohibited the employment of contract labour in industrial canteens of factories employing 250 or more workers. The petitioners argued that canteen …

VST INDUSTRIES LTD.versusVST INDUSTRIES WORKERS UNION AND ANR. ETC.

2000 INSC 578Dismissed

VST Industries Ltd., a cigarette manufacturing company, operated a canteen for its workers under Section 46 of the Factories Act, 1948. After 1982 the canteen was managed by private contractors, but the workers continued to be employed and received wages, ESI and PF benefits through the contractors, …

CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGEversusEMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION

2000 INSC 539Dismissed

The Christian Medical College, a hospital, operates an Equipment Maintenance Department with 45 workers that repairs and maintains medical equipment. The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) issued a notice that the department fell within Section 2(12) of the Employees' State Insurance Act, …

M/S. SUNIL INDUSTRIESversusRAM CHANDER PRADHAN AND ANR.

2000 INSC 521Dismissed

Sunil Industries, a sole‑proprietor workshop shaping steel sheets, employed Ram Chander Pradhan as a press operator. While operating a press, Pradhan suffered injuries to his right index finger and thumb, leading to amputation of part of the finger. He filed a claim under the Workmen's Compensation …

COLLECTOR OF CENTRAL EXCISEversusHIMALAYAN COOPERATIVE MILK PRODUCT UNION LTD.

2000 INSC 507Dismissed

The Collector of Central Excise appealed against the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal’s order allowing Himalayan Cooperative Milk Product Union Ltd. to claim exemption from excise duty on liquid nitrogen under Notification No. 105/80‑CE. The notification exempts goods falling …

A.P. PAPER MILLS LTD. ETC. ETCversusGOVERNMENT OF A.P. AND ANR.

2000 INSC 466Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, owners of factories in Andhra Pradesh, challenged a Government Order that raised the maximum licence fee under the Andhra Pradesh Factories Rules, 1950 from Rs.10,000 to Rs.18,00,000. They argued that the fee is a regulatory fee, not a tax, and therefore the principle of quid pro quo …

THE FACTORY MANAGER CIMMCO WAGON FACTORYversusVIRENDRA KUMAR SHARMA AND ANR.

2000 INSC 353

The respondent, Virendra Kumar Sharma, worked as an apprentice for CIMMCO Wagon Factory and received a stipend of Rs.250 per month, with a contractual clause stating the company had no obligation to employ him after training. No appointment letter or salary was ever paid, and letters recommending …

INDIAN PETROCHEMICALS CORPORATION LTD. AND ANR.versusSHRAMIK SENA AND ORS.

1999 INSC 302Dismissed

The workmen employed in the statutory canteen of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. filed a writ petition seeking declaration that they were regular employees of the corporation and were entitled to regularisation, pay scales and arrears. The Bombay High Court held that, relying on Parimal …

COMMISSIONER OF SALES TAXversusINDUSTRIAL COAL ENTERPRISES

1999 INSC 81Dismissed

The Industrial Coal Enterprises (respondent) established a small‑scale manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh with a capital investment below Rs. 3 lakh and obtained sales‑tax exemption under Section 4‑A of the U.P. Sales Tax Act, 1948, effective from 9 August 1985. The unit later shifted to its own …

M/S. CONTINENTAL CHEMICALS LTD.versusSALES TAX OFFICER AND ANR.

1999 INSC 34Appeal(s) allowed

Continental Chemicals Ltd. obtained a sales tax registration in November 1985 and made a trial sale on 1‑Nov‑1985, but only acquired permanent registration as an industrial unit on 11‑Sep‑1986 and began actual production on 3‑Mar‑1986, with its first sale on 5‑Mar‑1986. The company applied for a …

M/S SAVITA CHEMICALS (PVT.) LTD.versusDYES AND CHEMICAL WORKERS UNION AND ANR.

1998 INSC 476Dismissed

The appellant, Savita Chemicals Ltd., sought a declaration that a strike by the Dyes and Chemical Workers Union was illegal under Sections 24(1)(a) and 24(1)(i) of the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions & Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971. The union had issued a strike notice …

LAL MOHAMMAD AND ORS.versusINDIAN RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. AND ORS.

1998 INSC 462Appeal(s) allowed

The case involved 25 workmen employed by Indian Railway Construction Co. Ltd. (IRCON) on the Rihand Nagar railway line project who were served retrenchment notices in 1993 stating that most work was completed. The workmen challenged the notices, arguing that the project constituted a "factory" under …

M/S. PAPPU SWEETS AND BISCUITS ETC.versusCOMMISSIONER OF TRADE TAX U.P. LUCKNOW

1998 INSC 383Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, industrial units manufacturing toffees in Uttar Pradesh, applied for eligibility certificates under a 1991 notification granting sales‑tax exemption to new and expanding units, but were denied on the ground that toffee was a "sweetmeat" listed in Annexure II of the notification. The …

INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD.versusTHE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES AND ORS. ETC.

1998 INSC 253Appeal(s) allowed

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., a government‑owned company, applied for a factory licence for its Namkum storage unit. The Chief Inspector of Factories refused, deeming the depot manager not an occupier because, under clause (ii) of the first proviso to Section 2(n) of the Factories Act, only a …

EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATIONversusM/S. APEX ENGINEERING PVT. LTD.

1997 INSC 719Appeal(s) allowed

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) sought to include the Managing Director (MD) of Apex Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Shri V.N. Dhanwate, among the company's employees for purposes of coverage under Section 2(12) of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation Act, 1948. The lower courts held …

STATE OF RAJASTHANversusKUNJI RAMAN

1996 INSC 1502Case Partly allowed

Kunji Raman and 36 other work‑charged employees of the Mahi Sagar Project filed a writ petition alleging that the Rajasthan Service Rules, 1951 and the Rajasthan Service (Concessions on Project) Rules, 1962/1975 were inapplicable to them, depriving them of house‑rent allowance, project allowance and …

M.C. MEHTAversusSTATE OF.TAMIL NADU

1996 INSC 1454Disposed off

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ filed by M.C. Mehta challenging the employment of children below fourteen in hazardous factories and mines in Sivakasi and elsewhere, alleging violation of the fundamental right under Article 24 of the Constitution. The Court examined the …

EAST INDIA HOTELS LTD. CALCUTTAversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CALCUTTA

1996 INSC 1312Appeal(s) allowed

East India Hotels Ltd., an approved hotel, claimed both the extra depreciation allowance under clause (iii) and the extra shift depreciation allowance under clause (iv) of Item III of Appendix I to the Income Tax Rules for AY 1977-78. The Revenue argued that an approved hotel could claim only the …

M.C. MEHTAversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

1996 INSC 705Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the Delhi Master Plan (2001) under the Delhi Development Act, 1957, which categorises hazardous, noxious, heavy and large industries (H‑a and H‑b) as prohibited in Delhi and mandates their relocation within three years. The Court found that 168 such industries continued to …

EMPLOYERS IN RELATION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF RESERVE BANK OF INDIAversusTHEIR WORKMEN

1996 INSC 327Appeal(s) allowed

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provided canteen facilities for its Class III and IV employees through three arrangements – an Implementation Committee, co‑operative societies and contractors – but had no statutory duty to run these canteens. The Central Government Industrial Tribunal held that 166 …

KIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD.versusEMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPN.

1996 INSC 121Dismissed

Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., a manufacturer with factories in Maharashtra and Deewas, set up regional offices in Secunderabad and Bangalore to sell its products. The State Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka treated these offices as establishments under Section 2(g) of the Employees' State …

UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.versusSURESH C. BASKEY AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

1995 INSC 721Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court considered whether workmen of the Government Mint in Calcutta, who were allotted government accommodation and therefore did not receive house rent allowance (HRA), could notionally include HRA in the "ordinary rate of wages" for calculating overtime allowance under Section 59 of …

SWAPAN KUMAR CHOUDHARY AND ORS.versusTAPAS CHAKRAVORTY

1995 INSC 376Appeal(s) allowed

The West Bengal Factories Service comprised three categories of inspectors – general, chemical and medical – each with separate recruitment rules and pay scales. After the Bhopal disaster, the State created a chemical cadre with a lower pay scale and limited promotional prospects, prompting chemical …

STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ORS.versusM/S. BIRLA JUTE MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.

1995 INSC 364Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against a Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment that had held the electricity duty payable by Mis. Birla Jute Manufacturing Co. Ltd. for power consumed at its limestone mine premises should be calculated at the lower rate under Item (2) of the Table to Section 3 of …

PARIMAL CHANDRA AND ORS.versusLIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA AND ORS.

1995 INSC 229Appeal(s) allowed

Parimal Chandra and other canteen workers of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) filed a writ petition seeking to be treated as regular employees of LIC and to receive the minimum salary paid to Class IV employees, invoking the principle of equal pay for equal work. The High Court …

CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE AND ORS.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

1995 INSC 76Case Allowed

The Consumer Education and Research Centre filed a public‑interest writ under Article 32 seeking protection for workers in asbestos mines and industries, alleging that the right to health and medical care is a fundamental right under Article 21 read with Articles 39(c), 41, 43 and 48A of the …

M/S GRAVER AND WEIL (INDIA) LTD.versusCOLLECTOR OF CENTRAL EXCISE, BARODA

1994 INSC 490Dismissed

Mis. Graver and Weil (India) Ltd. manufactured sodium bichromate and transferred it to an adjoining Chromic Acid section where chromic‑acid flakes were produced using power. The flakes were removed without payment of excise duty and were seized. The Collector imposed a penalty and ordered …

SRIKANTA DATTA NARASIMHARAJA WODIYARversusENFORCEMENT OFFICER, MYSORE

1993 INSC 180Dismissed

The appellant, a director of Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd., was charged under Section 14A of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 for failing to deposit EPF contributions for October‑December 1990. He contended that, as merely a director and not the occupier or manager, he …

CLOTHING FACTORY, NATIONAL WORKERS' UNION AVADI, MADRAS, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARYversusUNION OF INDIA BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, NEW DELHI AND ORS.

1990 INSC 151Dismissed

The case concerned workers of the Ordinance Clothing Factory, Avadi, who were divided into day workers and piece‑rated workers. The Union of India, on behalf of the piece‑rated workers, sought direction that they be paid overtime wages at double the ordinary rate for the 3¼ hours worked each week …

M.M.R. KHAN AND ORS. ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS. ETC.

1990 INSC 60Appeal(s) allowed

The petitioners were workers in railway canteens classified as statutory, non‑statutory recognised, and non‑statutory non‑recognised. They sought to be treated as railway employees and to receive the same service conditions as other railway staff. The Court examined the statutory duty under Section …

HARBANS LAL & ORS.versusSTATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH & ORS.

1989 INSC 224Dismissed

The petitioners, daily‑rated carpenters employed by the Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts Corporation, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking "equal pay for equal work" with regular government carpenters or, alternatively, the minimum wages fixed by the Deputy Commissioner. The respondents …

KANPUR SURAKSHA KARAMCHARI UNION (REGD.)versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

1988 INSC 242Case Allowed

The petitioners, canteen workers in three defence establishments at Kanpur, retired after 22‑Oct‑1980 and claimed that their service in the canteens prior to that date should count as qualifying service for pension. The Union of India contended that before 22‑Oct‑1980 the canteens were managed by …

C.V. RAMAN, ETC.versusMANAGEMENT OF BANK OF INDIA AND ANOTHER, ETC.

1988 INSC 115

The Supreme Court considered a series of civil appeals arising from dismissals of bank employees who sought relief under various State Shops and Establishments Acts. The banks argued that the Acts did not apply to them because they were "establishments under the Central Government" and thus fell …

SATYA NARAIN PANDEYversusSTATE OF U.P. & OTHERS

1988 INSC 12Dismissed

The landlords of Prem Talkies obtained vacant possession of the building in 1984 and later intended to let it out as a fully equipped cinema theatre to the Mehrotras. The appellant, Satya Narain Pandey, applied for allotment of the building under the U.P. Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent …

CATERING CLEANERS OF SOUTHERN RAILWAY ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS. ETC.

1987 INSC 34Disposed off

The petitioners, about 300 catering cleaners employed by contractors on the Southern Railway, alleged that they were paid meagre wages and denied statutory benefits, and sought a writ of mandamus under Article 32 to compel the abolition of the contract‑labour system and their regularisation as …

M.C. MEHTA & ANR. ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS. ETC.

1986 INSC 19Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined a public‑interest writ petition filed by environmental activist M.C. Mehta on behalf of Delhi residents challenging two orders that prohibited Shriram Foods & Fertiliser Industries from operating its caustic‑chlorine plant in a densely populated area of Delhi. After a …

V. SASIDHARANversusPETER & KARUNAKAR & ORS.

1984 INSC 155Dismissed

V. Sasidharan, a clerk in a firm of lawyers, was dismissed and appealed under the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960. The firm contended that it was not a "commercial establishment" within the meaning of the Act, leading the Appellate Authority to dismiss the appeal on a …

UNION OF INDIA AND ANOTHERversusG.M. KOKIL AND OTHERS

1984 INSC 65Dismissed

The Union of India appealed a decision of the Central Government Labour Court which had granted overtime wages at double the ordinary rate to 78 employees of the India Security Press, Nasik, under s.59 of the Factories Act read with s.70 of the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948. The …