INTERNATIONAL ORE & FERTILIZERS(INDIA) PVT. LTD. vs EMPLOYEES' STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION

The Supreme Court held that the petitioner, a limited company, is bound to comply with the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, as it employed more than 20 persons for wages at its establishment. The Court clarified that the term 'shop' is not defined in the Act or the relevant notification, but in common parlance, it refers to a place where buying and selling activities occur. The Court concluded that the absence of actual delivery of goods at the premises does not exclude it from being classified as a 'shop' under the Act, thereby upholding the High Court's decision.