ISPAT INDUSTRIES LTD. AND ANOTHER vs UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court, while considering the petitioners' appeal under Article 136, addressed the issue of eligibility for financial assistance from the Steel Development Fund. The Court held that the exclusion of the petitioners from receiving financial assistance, while granting it to other entities like TISCO, was arbitrary and discriminatory, violating principles of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. The Court directed that the petitioners be considered for financial assistance on par with other steel manufacturers, thereby upholding their rights to fair treatment in financial matters.