PHYSICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY vs K.G. SHARMA

The Supreme Court examined whether the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) qualifies as an 'industry' under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act. The Court upheld the Labour Court's decision that PRL is indeed an industry, referencing the precedent set in Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa, which established that research activities can fall under the definition of industry. The Court affirmed the Labour Court's ruling that the respondent was entitled to back wages for the period he was wrongfully retired before the age of 60.