RAM NATH vs M/S HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LTD.

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 20.02.2026 Date of decision: 28.03.2026 Uploaded on: 28.03.2026 + W.P.(C) 7000/2015 RAM NATH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Avadh Bihari Kaushik, Adv. versus M/S HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LTD. .....Respondent Through: Mr. Sandeep Prabhakar, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Vikas Mehta, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHAIL JAIN JUDGMENT SHAIL JAIN, J. 1. The present writ petition has been filed by the Petitioner/Workman, Shri Ram Nath, under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, inter alia, seeking setting aside of the order dated 29.11.2014 (hereinafter referred to as the “Impugned Order”) passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Labour Court-IX, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi in LCA No. 01/2014, whereby the claim of the Petitioner under Section 33C (2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as the Act ) for computation and recovery of alleged dues was dismissed as not maintainable on the ground that the entitlement itself was disputed and required adjudication. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 2. The Petitioner/Workman, Shri Ram Nath, claims to have been initially appointed as an Accounts Assistant with M/s Kwality Ice Cream Company Signature Not Verified Signed By:KAPIL W.P.(C) 7000/2015 Page 1 of 23 KUMAR Signing Date:28.03.2026 15:07:35 in or about the year 1987. The Respondent/Management, however, asserts that the Petitioner was appointed as a Clerk on 16.03.1988 on probation and his services were subsequently confirmed on 01.10.1998. It is not in dispute pursuant to a Strategic Alliance Agreement dated 30.12.1994 between KIC Food Products Ltd. and Brooke Bond Lipton India Ltd. (BBLIL), the business operations relating to ice cream including the sales, distribution and marketing functions, were transferred and the