RAJ KUMAR vs JALGAON MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court's decision affirming the quashing of a Labour Court award that directed the reinstatement of temporary employees of the Jalagaon Municipal Corporation. The Court found that the appellants had delayed in approaching the Labour Commissioner for conciliation, with delays ranging from 3 to 10 years post-termination, which rendered the dispute non-justiciable. The Court held that the Labour Court erred in law by granting reinstatement despite the inordinate delay, and thus, the appellants were awarded Rs.10,000 each as compensation instead.