Workmen Represented By vs Vs

The Supreme Court examined the applicability of Section 25-H of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, concerning the employment rights of 111 retrenched workmen from the Bhugatdih Colliery. The Court held that the Bharat Coking Coal Limited was not the successor-in-interest of the colliery as per Section 9 of the Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1972, since the workmen were not in employment on the appointed day of nationalization. Consequently, the refusal to employ the retrenched workmen was justified, and the Tribunal's direction for their consideration for employment was set aside, affirming the High Court's ruling.