CENTRAL INLAND WATER TRANSPORTCORPORATION LTD. & ANR. ETC. vs BROJO NATH GANGULY & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that a Government company, as defined under Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956, qualifies as 'the State' under Article 12 of the Constitution of India. It established that unconscionable terms in employment contracts are void under Section 23 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, particularly when they infringe Article 14, ensuring equality before the law. The Court ruled that provisions in the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation's service rules that are discriminatory violate Article 14 and are void under Section 16 of the Contract Act.