VST INDS. LTD vs VST INDS. CANTEEN WORKERS UNION

The Supreme Court ruled that under Section 46 of the Factories Act, 1948, a company is obligated to establish and maintain a canteen if it employs more than 250 workers, thereby imposing a public duty. The Court held that a writ of mandamus can be issued against a private company when it is discharging a public duty, affirming the lower court's decision that the employees of the canteen are entitled to benefits as employees of the appellant company. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the rights of the canteen workers under the statutory provisions.