SANT RAJ & ANR. vs O.P. SINGLA & ANR

The Supreme Court held that the termination of the appellants' services constituted retrenchment under Section 25F and Section 2(oo) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and was illegal due to non-compliance with statutory requirements. The Court affirmed that while reinstatement is the usual remedy for illegal termination, the Labour Court has discretion to award compensation instead if circumstances warrant it. The Court modified the Labour Court's award, directing that each appellant be compensated with Rs. 2,00,000 as back-wages instead of reinstatement.