S.M. NILAJKAR vs TELECOM DISTRICT MANAGER, KARNATAKA

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal which directed the reinstatement of casual labourers employed by the Department of Telecommunications, ruling that their termination constituted retrenchment under Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court clarified that the workers had rendered continuous service exceeding 240 days, thus qualifying for protection against termination. However, due to a significant delay in raising the disputes, the Court agreed with the High Court's modification of the Tribunal's award, denying back wages to the workers.