WORKMEN OF THE INDIAN LEAF TOBACCO DEVELOPMENT COMPAN vs MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIAN LEAF TOBACCO DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD

The Supreme Court held that a genuine closure of depots, even if it does not amount to a closure of the entire business, is a managerial decision that cannot be interfered with by an Industrial Tribunal. The Court ruled that the closure of eight depots by the respondent was a legitimate act of management, and thus the Tribunal's referral of the dispute regarding retrenchment was incorrect. Since the workmen were compensated under Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, no further claims could arise regarding their retrenchment.