Landmark Labour Law Judgements 2025

PUNJAB & HARYANA (Punjab & Haryana High Court)

1. Abandonment of Job Presumed
Anil Kumar v. Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court-I, Gurgaon and Another (2023)
If a workman fails to resume duties despite repeated communications from the employer, abandonment of service can be presumed.

 

2. Gratuity Not Forfeitable for Abandonment
Hindustan Everest Tools Ltd. v. Inderjeet and Another (2021)
Gratuity cannot be forfeited merely on the ground that the employee abandoned service.

 

3. Contractor Work Does Not Create Direct Employment
Sona Devi v. Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal and Another (2023)
Long-term work through a contractor does not automatically make a worker an employee of the principal employer.

 

UTTAR PRADESH (Allahabad High Court)

4. PF Payable to Home-Based Employees
Makkar Medical Centre v. Government of India through Secretary (Labour) and Another (2019)
Provident Fund is payable even to employees working from home.

 

5. ICC Lady Member Need Not Be Senior
Smt. Shobha Goswami v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2015)
The female member of the Internal Complaints Committee under PoSH law is not required to be senior in rank to the complainant.

 

MADHYA PRADESH (Madhya Pradesh High Court)

6. Burden of Proof on Employer After 240 Days
Sanjay Kumar v. Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat, Ratlam (2010)
Once a worker proves 240 days of continuous service, the employer bears the burden of disproving illegal termination.

 

MAHARASHTRA (Bombay High Court)

7. Full Back Wages Justified Due to Employer Delay
Jalna District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Manik S/o Ambadas Toge (2023)
When reinstatement is ordered and delay is attributable to the employer, full back wages may be granted.

 

8. Professional Fees Not Counted for ESI Contribution
SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation and Another (2023)
Payments to consultants, lawyers, engineers, and chartered accountants are not wages for ESI contribution purposes.

 

JHARKHAND (Jharkhand High Court)

9. Date of Birth Change at End of Service Not Permissible
Budhan Pandit v. Bharat Refractories Ltd. (2009)
Requests for alteration of date of birth at the end of service must be rejected.

 

10. Resignation Effective Only After Acceptance
Om Dutta Sharma v. State of Jharkhand (2017)
A resignation becomes effective only upon acceptance by the employer.

 

11. Advocate as Enquiry Officer in Violation of Standing Orders Invalid
Tata Steel Processing and Distribution Ltd. v. Kripa Shankar Tiwary (2022)
Appointment of an advocate as enquiry officer in violation of standing orders is illegal.

 

12. Reducing Punishment for Theft Encourages Indiscipline
Management of Telco v. Anita Sharma (2021)
Reducing dismissal for theft undermines workplace discipline.

 

TAMIL NADU (Madras High Court)

13. Past Record Relevant in Disciplinary Action
Management of TNSTC (Coimbatore) Ltd. v. M. Chandrasekaran (2016)
An employee’s past service record may be considered while imposing punishment.

 

14. Dismissal for Fake Certificate Valid
Management of Ambur Co-operative Sugar Mills v. A.K. Shanmugam (2020)
Dismissal is justified if employment was obtained using a forged or bogus certificate.

 

15. Ex-Gratia Not Necessarily Bonus
Managing Director, Vinayaka Missions Medical College and Hospital v. Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, Puducherry and Another (2019)
Payment of ex-gratia does not automatically constitute bonus under labour law.

 

ANDHRA PRADESH (High Court of Andhra Pradesh)

16. Chargesheet Not Vague for Not Reproducing Language
R. Srinivasa Reddy v. Hon’ble Labour Court-II, Hyderabad (2013)
A chargesheet is not vague merely because offensive language is not reproduced verbatim.

 

DELHI (Delhi High Court)

17. Demonstrations May Be Restricted Near Premises
Maruti Udyog Ltd. v. Maruti Udyog Employees’ Union (2002)
Courts may restrain demonstrations and protests within 100 meters of the employer’s premises.

 

18. No Employment Relationship Without Proof
Shambhu v. M/s Sugan Drycleaners (2017)
In the absence of documentary evidence, an employer-employee relationship cannot be presumed.

 

19. Suspension Does Not Entitle Earned Leave
Central Bank of India v. Shyam Lal Jain (2010)
An employee under suspension is not entitled to earned leave.

 

20. No Enquiry Required in Loss of Confidence Cases
Delhi State Civil Supply Corporation Ltd. v. Badan Singh (2019)
Where misconduct results in loss of confidence, the employer is not required to hold a formal enquiry.

 

KARNATAKA (Karnataka High Court)

21. Criminal Acquittal Does Not Nullify Disciplinary Action
Tulasi Motayya v. Management of NWKRTC (2017)
Acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically invalidate departmental proceedings.

 

22. Acceptance of Appointment Terms Bars Further Demands
Karnataka State Medical and Sales Representatives Association v. AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd. (2022)
Employees who accept appointment terms cannot later claim better service conditions.

 

23. Union Leaders Must Maintain Integrity
Krishnappa M. v. Bharat Electronics Ltd. (2018)
Union office bearers are expected to be role models through integrity and diligence.

 

24. Leave with Medical Certificate Justifies Absence
North-East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation v. Sayed Abdul Raheem (2019)
Dismissal for absence is unjustified when leave is supported by a medical certificate.

 

GUJARAT (Gujarat High Court)

25. Overtime Claim Valid If Employer Fails to Rebut
Botad Nagar Palika v. General Secretary, Rashtriya Mazdoor Sangh (2007)
Where the employer fails to counter evidence, overtime claims may be accepted.

 

26. Termination of Probationer Not Retrenchment
Barad Vajesing Rambhai v. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. (2023)
Termination after completion of extended probation does not amount to retrenchment.

 

PATNA / BIHAR (Patna High Court)

27. Incomplete Employee Details Cannot Be Ignored for EPF
Ram Krishna Residential High School v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and Others (2019)
Failure to provide complete employee details cannot be overlooked for EPF coverage.

 

KERALA (Kerala High Court)

28. Delay in PF Remittance Not Excusable Without Proof
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies Karamana v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (2021)
Delay in remitting PF dues is unjustified unless supported by valid financial evidence.

 

WEST BENGAL (Calcutta High Court)

29. Director Not Personally Liable for EPF Dues
Mehboob Habib Chinoy v. State of West Bengal and Another (2023)
Company directors are not personally liable for EPF dues unless statutory conditions are met.

 

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

30. No Correlation Between Disability and Loss of Earning
Basappa v. Basvaraj M. Tuppad (2018)
Physical disability does not automatically equate to loss of earning capacity for compensation purposes.

 

31. No Forced Employment Transfer Without Consent
Sunil K.R. Ghosh v. K. Ram Chandran (2012)
A workman cannot be compelled to work for a different employer without consent.

 

32. Pumping of Water Is Manufacturing Process
State of Madhya Pradesh and Others v. Somdutt Sharma (2021)
Water pumping activity qualifies as a manufacturing process under factory laws.

 

33. Overtime Claim Only If Additional Work Admitted
Currency Note Press and Another v. N.N. Sardesai and Others (2019)
Overtime claims are maintainable only when additional work is acknowledged by the employer.