Vice Chancellor Luknow University vs Akhilesh Kumar Khare and Anr

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision affirming the Labour Court's award that declared the termination of daily wage workers by the University of Lucknow as illegal under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court emphasized that the respondents, having worked continuously for over 240 days, were entitled to reinstatement and back wages, notwithstanding the absence of sanctioned posts. The Court clarified that the principles established in Secretary, State of Karnataka vs. Umadevi (2006) do not preclude the regularization of workers in such circumstances, thus affirming the High Court's directive for consideration of regularization as vacancies arise.