REGIONAL DIRECTOR EMPLOYEES A STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION T vs RAMANUJA MATCH INDUSTRIRS

The Supreme Court held that partners of a firm are not considered 'employees' under Section 2(9) of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. The Court clarified that the definition of 'employee' requires a relationship of employer and employee, which does not exist between partners in a partnership. Consequently, since the number of employees was less than the statutory minimum when excluding partners, the Employees State Insurance Act was deemed inapplicable to the respondent-firm, and the appeal was dismissed.